LIV Golf members have sent a signed letter to the chair of the Official World Golf Ranking system, Peter Dawson, urging him to reconsider the OWGR's position, and give ranking points to LIV Golf tournaments.
The letter argues that due to the quality of the field on the LIV Tour, it should be counted, and that its exclusion weakens the overall OWGR system.
However, the OWGR system has clear criteria for a tour to be recognised, which are not met by LIV Golf. These include having a cut, playing 72 hole tournaments, and the presence of qualifying schools.
You can read extracts from the letter below:
"To maintain trust, we urge you -- as one of the true statesmen of sports -- to act appropriately to include, on a retroactive basis, the results of LIV Golf events in OWGR's ranking calculations.
An OWGR without LIV would be incomplete and inaccurate, the equivalent of leaving the Big 10 or the SEC out of the U.S. college football rankings, or leaving Belgium, Argentina, and England out of the FIFA rankings.
"Some 23 tours are integrated into the OWGR universe, and LIV has earned its place among them. Four LIV golfers have held the number-one position on the OWGR, and one is currently number-two.
LIV players have sent this signed letter to Peter Dawson, chairman of the governing board of the OWGR, pleading for world ranking points. pic.twitter.com/iM8TXu3SEO
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) September 20, 2022
READ HERE: Talor Gooch Targets Shane Lowry With Post From LIV Golf Event
Letter Continued:
"LIV's roster includes 21 of the last 51 winners of the four Majors. The level of competition at the average LIV event is at least equal to that at the average PGA Tour event. We know because we've played in both. Every week that passes without the inclusion of LIV athletes undermines the historical value of OWGR."
The case for LIV's inclusion is strong, but we have concerns that members of your Governing Board are conflicted and are keeping the OWGR from acting as it should. Four of the eight members have connections to the PGA Tour, which unfortunately views LIV Golf as an antagonist. Other members of the Board have made unfairly harsh remarks about LIV, with one of them calling the organization 'not credible.'
"The current overwrought environment makes your own judgment crucial. In your athletic, business and golf management career you have won a stellar reputation for impartiality and integrity. Your work at the R&A and the OWGR shows you know how to combine tradition and innovation."
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