Lee Westwood, once a stalwart of the golfing world, has officially disappeared from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) after his move to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit. The Englishman, who peaked at World No. 1 in 2010, has seen his ranking plummet following his departure from the traditional tours.
Westwood's Ranking Freefall
Westwood, now 50, had been a consistent presence in the OWGR for over two decades. However, his decision to join LIV Golf in 2022 meant he no longer earned ranking points, leading to his eventual removal from the list. His last recorded ranking was 826th before he vanished entirely.
Jon Rahm's Take on the LIV Golf Controversy
Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, who himself made the switch to LIV Golf in December, recently commented on the situation. While acknowledging the legitimacy of LIV's events, Rahm admitted that the lack of OWGR recognition is a significant hurdle for players seeking major championship qualification.
"It's definitely a talking point," Rahm stated. "The level of competition at LIV is undeniable, but without world ranking points, it creates complications for players who want to compete in majors."
The Ongoing Golf Divide
The exclusion of LIV players from the OWGR has intensified the rift between the breakaway tour and the established golf ecosystem. With no resolution in sight, veterans like Westwood face an uncertain future in terms of competitive opportunities outside LIV's own schedule.
As the golf world continues to grapple with this division, Westwood's disappearance from the rankings serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of the ongoing power struggle in professional golf.
