Jon Rahm has lamented the restrictions put on LIV Golf as unfair after the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) awarded the tour world ranking points five years after its establishment.
The OWGR approved LIV’s submission for ranking points with some conditions due to the less than traditional nature of the breakaway tour, including the lower competitive fields, and awarded LIV players world ranking points if they finish in the top 10.
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The Saudi Arabia-backed league called the decision a “long overdue moment of recognition” but revealed its disappointment at the limits placed on them from the OWGR, demanding a more “transparent” and “equal” system which does “reflect performance over affiliation”.
And while Rahm admitted his delight “that we’re being recognised in a way”, he hit out at the harsher treatment given to LIV golfers.
“I don’t like how we’re not being treated the same as every other tour,” he said at LIV Golf’s season opener in Riyadh.
“It seems like the rules that have been in place don’t really apply to us, with only 10 of us getting points.
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“It doesn’t seem fair. The small fields out there throughout the course of the year, their players get full points.”
The Spaniard, a two-time major winner, still believes there is “work to be done” as he highlighted the pitfalls of the restrictions.
Jon Rahm feels the restrictions surround world ranking points ‘doesn’t seem fair’ (Getty Images)
“While it’s good for some people, it could cause some players to actually lose world ranking points instead of gaining them because finishing 11th is basically a missed cut, and we’re already adding to the divisor,” Rahm added.
“But I’m thankful that LIV Golf got their foot in the door, and there’s a possibility for us to walk in the room and be recognised as a tour, as we should be.”
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The significance of LIV obtaining OWGR points is because they are important to players aiming to qualify for the annual four majors. The rankings are worked out via a two-year rolling system with more weight given to the most recent results.
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