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USA Today via Reuters
Aug 27, 2021; Owings Mills, Maryland, USA; Jon Rahm waves to fans after sinking his putt on the first hole during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
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USA Today via Reuters
Aug 27, 2021; Owings Mills, Maryland, USA; Jon Rahm waves to fans after sinking his putt on the first hole during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
After years of following the same criteria, Official World Golf Ranking has finally gone through some alterations that will come into effect from next year onwards. Many fans and golfers had their say on the changes. Ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, Jon Rahm shared his disappointment with OWGR while comparing the European Tour to the PGA Tour.
In the recent change of rules, OWGR states starting next year’s summer, the player’s Strokes Gained World Ranking (SWGR) will also be measured. This SWGR score will determine the strength of each field based on its depth.
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Rahm isn’t a fan of this rule change, as he let it all out during a press conference in Dubai. Moreover, he also pointed fingers at the PGA Tour, whose RSM Classic is going to take place simultaneously with European Tour’s DP World Tour Championship.
Jon Rahm isn’t a fan of the new OWGR points system
The Spaniard has been linked with LIV Golf for the past few weeks. However, he made it clear that his current priority is competing on the European Tour. Ahead of their competition in Dubai, Rahm was asked about his thoughts on OWGR points. He warned everyone that he was set to give a ‘blunt’ response. And as expected, he did.
2/n…
"The fact that Wentworth, with players in the top-10, had less points than Napa, is laughable.
"I understand what they are trying to do with the depth of field, but having the best players automatically makes the tournament better. I don't care what their system says.
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) November 16, 2022
Rahm said, “The fact that RSM doesn’t have any top-20 in the world and has more points than @DPWTC, where we have seven of the top 20, is laughable”. The RSM Classic lacks any top 20 golfers in the world, yet they have more OWGR points than the DP World Tour Championship, despite the European event having 7 Top 20 ranked golfers.
The Spaniard then emphasized OWGR considering the field size for the pointing system. “I understand what they are trying to do with the depth of field, but having the best players automatically makes the tournament better. I don’t care what their system says”, said Jon Rahm.
n/n…
"Depth of field doesn't mean better tournament. I could go on and on. I think they have missed the mark on that stance quite a bit."
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) November 16, 2022
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He further criticized the ranking body for making a mistake, before making a stand for himself and fellow DP Tour competitors. Rahm said, “The 30 best players of the year here should not be punished because it’s a smaller field”. He ended by saying, “Depth of field doesn’t mean better tournament. I could go on and on. I think they have missed the mark on that stance quite a bit”.
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USA Today via Reuters
Feb 17, 2022; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Jon Rahm hits from the fourth tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The changes in the OWGR only add to the many changes happening currently in the sport of golf. This may divide the golfers and fans based on their interests. Nonetheless, it’s only the dawn of a revolution in the sport, with further forthcoming developments.
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Do you agree with Jon Rahm? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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