After the 2023 Season, Here Are the 5 LIV Golfers Who Are at the ‘Lowest’ Point of Their Careers

The positions of LIV’s biggest names in OWGR have been plummeting continuously. However, there was a slight ray of hope for LIV golfers to see their names go up in the world ranking table, but it was also taken away. After almost a year of consideration regarding the Saudi league’s stance in OWGR, the decision did not come out in the league’s favor. For some of the league’s biggest players such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and others, the fall down the rankings has been so severe that it is almost unimaginable!

Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and others at a freefall in OWGR

Several high-profile golfers have had a big fall in terms of their ranking after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway league. The reason is that  LIV Golf events do not receive the OWGR points. Here are the high-profile five whose rankings have sunk drastically.

1. Dustin Johnson

Johnson was one of the first players to jump ship and join LIV Golf in an eye-catching deal worth $150 million. Rewinding to the 2021-22 season, Johnson was among the top five players in the world. After joining the former rebel league, he quickly slid below the top 50. But his current fall in OWGR has been staggering. For the first time since 2008, the LIV golfer is not even among the top 150 golfers in the world. The 2020 Masters winner currently sits at 152nd place in the OWGR table.

1. Phil Mickelson

One of the best golfers of his generation, Phil Mickelson was 72 in the OWGR before he joined LIV Golf. The six-time major winner was good enough to go toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods in his pomp, but his drastic move to LIV took things sideways. Though he ended up in the second position in the 2023 Masters and made a historical record, his place in OWGR has plummeted. He is currently in the 123rd position in the OWGR, which is probably his career’s lowest rank.

1. Bubba Watson

Watson‘s first Major win came at the 2012 Masters. Two years later, the former PGA Tour pro repeated his spectacular feat at Augusta. In 2015, he was in the second position in the OWGR. Before joining the Saudi-funded league, the 45-year-old was among the top 100 golfers, specifically at 86th. However, after his defection to LIV Golf, and two seasons with it, he currently sits at the 687th rank.

Read more: After Being Put To ‘Shame’, Dustin Johnson Backed by Brooks Koepka’s Coach Over LIV Golf World Ranking ‘Joke’

1. Sergio Garcia

In 2017, the Garcia had a second wind, when he won the Masters. He was in the 57th position in the world rankings before he made the decision to join LIV Golf. But the 43-year-old’s $40 million move made his OWGR place plummet. The Fireballs GC’s skipper now ranks at 462nd place.

1. Bryson DeChambeau

DeChambeau was one of the brightest players on the PGA Tour, with one major win in his bag. Four years ago, he was World No. 5, but his fate with respect to OWGR altered in 2022 when he moved to LIV. The 30-year-old was still at a very creditable 31st in the OWGR before his deal with the backway league. The Crushers GC captain has currently slipped to the 149th position in the world ranking.

A player’s OWGR position is important, for it gives access to the Majors. LIV Golf had applied to the OWGR to allow its players to earn ranking points. The bid was unanimously rejected in October. Though the OWGR journey of LIV players has been tough, it will be interesting to see if it has any alterations in the future!

Watch this story: After Choosing $150 Million Over Legacy, Dustin Johnson Suffers a Major Setback for His Defection