© Suhaimi Abdullah / Getty Images Sport
LIV Golf executives assured their players that, over time, the LIV Golf Tour would be eligible for ranking points. This commitment played a crucial role in convincing individuals to join LIV Golf, recognizing the importance of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for securing opportunities at prestigious Major tournaments.
However, despite a year and a half passing, LIV Golfers have yet to receive OWGR points, leading to growing concerns that this situation may persist.
The absence of OWGR points puts their standing and position in the golfing world in jeopardy. Carlos Ortiz, among the affected golfers, has chosen to voice his frustrations and discontent with the delay in OWGR decisions, taking the opportunity to express his viewpoint on the GOLF Subpar podcast.
While stressing the need for patience shared by other players, Ortiz questions why the best players are not currently included in the OWGR.
“It was definitely said that we were going to get them [OWGR points], but we haven’t got them.
I understand that we went out of the system and it’s going to take time to get back or to be part of the system, but I also think that if the world ranking was to be accurate they have to include all kinds of players you know?”– he said as quoted by golfmagic.com
Ortiz stresses that he was aware from the beginning that LIV Golf wouldn’t initially receive ranking points. However, there was an expectation that over time, LIV Golfers would eventually be eligible for world ranking points.
Upon receiving LIV Golf’s offer, golfers understood the implications and potential consequences of accepting such an offer, including the likelihood of facing various challenges.
Despite this awareness, they chose to embrace the opportunity. Golf fans believe that LIV Golfers have no right to complain. Leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf meant agreeing to certain rules or requirements. Nonetheless, Ortiz believes that LIV Golf can accomplish its objectives in the near future. While it remains uncertain how the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) will respond and what criteria LIV must meet for point eligibility, Ortiz and his colleagues remain optimistic.
“I’m not saying we should have got them from the beginning, I know there are some certain rules, and I knew from the beginning there were some consequences and the setbacks we could have had, and I accept them. I just obviously wish we could change them and find a way that we could be part of… I feel like it’s getting to that point but like we could be part of that ecosystem where we can ranked and compete freely, not only in the majors against the other players.”
Although some underestimate LIV Golf, and believe that there is no necessary quality there, Ortiz emphasized there are many quality golfers at LIV Golf, who have shown it both by playing at LIV Golf and on the PGA Tour.
LIV Golf has progressed significantly since its creation.
The innovations they introduced in the world of golf attracted the attention of fans, especially the younger ones.
Carlos Ortiz: We have a legitimate tour where there’s good players
Ortiz believes that LIV has fulfilled all expectations so far. The most important thing is that LIV Golf has quality. Looking at LIV Golf and all aspects, Ortiz does not understand why OWGR still does not want to reward them with raking points.
“I just think there is a way and there’s definitely enough proof that we have a legitimate tour where there’s good players and we should get ranked. At the end of the day, the things about why we’re not getting our world ranking too is because you need to prove certain years or certain time that you have a legitimate tour. I think it’s already given that we have a legitimate tour you know.”
Greg Norman and other executives are optimistic that there could be changes in the world of golf. Each of the golfers has ambitions to be on the OWGR list and have a chance to perform in the biggest tournaments. In these moments, LIV Golf is neglected and does not have the attention that the PGA Tour currently has. As long as the situation with OWGR points is the way it is at the moment, it is difficult to expect LIV Golfers to progress and win big trophies.
Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson and others are golfers who are known to everyone. At this moment they would certainly be at the very top of the ranking list. However, going to LIV Golf prevented them from doing so.
