Phil Mickelson is making the news once again but this time it has nothing to do with his gambling addiction. As the golfer clarified, he is on the path of recovery, and he has resumed his game at the LIV Golf events. But something disappointed the golfer, and he took to X to share about the same.
Recently, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) rejected LIV Golf’s appeal for inclusion in the ranking system. The South African golfer, Trevor Immelman, came out to show his support regarding the same and caught himself in a feud with Phil Mickelson on X.
Phil Mickelson claims, “LIV was NEVER going to get points.”
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In September 2022, LIV Golfers signed an open letter to the chairman of OWGR, Peter Dawson, requesting him to include LIV Golf in the ranking system. After a year-long break, Dawson told bunkered.co.uk that the decision was “coming close to a conclusion.”
OWGR finally released the decision and rejected the request. They have sighted 54-hole no-cut format and limitations of new players joining as the reason for rejection. Trevor Immelman commented on the issue and said that if he was to start a new tour, he would make sure to follow all the rules detailed by the world-ranking organization.
Mickelson, in an attempt to expose the OWGR, replied and listed four distinct points. He accused the organization of running a “Monopoly” and rejecting it because of the PGA Tour TV deal with CBS. Additionally, he dragged the CBS chairperson, Sean McManus, into the conversation, saying that he is aware of all these things.
Trevor, LIV was NEVER going to get points. Why? 1)it’s a monopoly run by all the governing bodies 2) the PGA Tour tv contract is based on owgr criteria for them to get all their money 3) they would lose leverage in negotiations if LIV got points4) last but not least, Tour has…
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 12, 2023
Lefty further replied to fans’ comments, saying that the reasons for rejection given are just a “public excuse.” He also compared the decision to a chess move and said, “This is move 6 in a long game of chess. You won’t believe moves 32-37. That’s when it gets REALLY good. 😎”
LIV Golf replies to the OWGR rejection
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Peter Dawson, in an interview with the Associated Press, explained the rationale behind the rejection. He clarified that the decision was absolutely “technical” and not “political”.
However, LIV Golf released a response saying that “OWGR’s sole objective is to rank the best players across the globe. Today’s communication makes clear that it can no longer deliver on that objective.”
Furthermore, players on the LIV Golf, like Dustin Johnson, said “The rankings are skewed” while Talor Gooch exclaimed that the rejection “confirms the irrelevancy of the OWGR.”
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The players are upset as the decision will hamper their inclusion in the Major championships. The coming conclusion on the merger may bring a definite change and ease the stress. What do you think about the OWGR’s decision? Tell us in the comments!
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