**Lee Westwood Critiques OWGR After Climbing Rankings at The Open**
Lee Westwood expressed his satisfaction with breaking into the top 40 at The Open Championship this past weekend, but he also took the opportunity to criticize the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). The seasoned golfer, who competes on the LIV Golf tour, has risen to No. 930 on the OWGR list after finishing tied for 34th at Royal Portrush, a leap of 3,759 spots. This improvement allows Westwood to claim he is now ahead of his son, Sam, who is ranked 2,759th while playing on a mini-tour.
Westwood’s concerns about the OWGR stem from the lack of world ranking points awarded to LIV Golf events. “I think that just proves that without world ranking points it makes a bit of a mockery of the system,” he stated during a LIV Golf event in the UK, as reported by ESPN. Many LIV Golf players share Westwood’s view that their tournaments should be recognized in the OWGR, but the league’s latest application for inclusion is still under review.
LIV Golf initially sought accreditation when it launched in 2022, but that request was denied. Consequently, LIV golfers can only earn OWGR points by participating in major championships or international tour events. For instance, Dustin Johnson, who is currently ranked 571st, finished tied for 23rd at The Open. Once the world’s top golfer for 135 weeks, Johnson’s ranking has significantly dropped since joining LIV Golf. Only Bryson DeChambeau (16th) and Tyrrell Hatton (21st) are currently in the OWGR top 50, while other LIV stars like Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed remain outside that elite group despite their strong performances.
Westwood emphasized the importance of having the best players in major championships, stating, “I think mainly it relates back to wanting the best players in the major championships, not wanting this conversation where there’s a few people missing out because we don’t get world ranking points on LIV.” He welcomed LIV Golf’s submission of another application for OWGR recognition.
Tyrrell Hatton has also voiced his support for fellow LIV Golf players, advocating for their contributions to be acknowledged, particularly regarding qualification for major tournaments. “I think there’s a lot of guys out here that you certainly want to be playing in majors. If there’s a better pathway for that for us, then that’s brilliant,” Hatton remarked.
In conclusion, the ongoing debate surrounding the OWGR and LIV Golf’s status continues to be a significant topic among players, with many advocating for a more inclusive ranking system that recognizes their competitive efforts.
**FAQ**
**Q: Why are LIV Golf players concerned about the OWGR?**
A: LIV Golf players are concerned because they cannot earn world ranking points from their events, limiting their ability to qualify for major championships and affecting their rankings.