In the ever-evolving world of professional golf, the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) has long held a position of intrigue and debate. Recently, a closer examination of the system by LIV analysts has yielded revelations that are sending ripples throughout the golfing community.
However, the insights provided by renowned analysts Jerry Foltz and David Feherty offer a glimpse into the tectonic shifts reshaping the golf landscape.
The changing landscape: PGA Tour Dominance
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Jerry Foltz, known for his straightforward commentary, cast a stark light on a significant transformation. One year ago, the OWGR included 15 players from outside the PGA Tour in its top 50, and at present time, this number has dwindled to just two.
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Remarkably, both of these remaining players hail from LIV and have secured major victories within the past 16 months. The implication is clear for those not on the PGA Tour, the climb to the top 50 is akin to chasing a desert mirage, a task that becomes increasingly elusive.
The LIV analysts went off on the OWGR decision yesterday.
Jerry Foltz:
“This time last year, 15 players outside the PGA Tour were inside the top 50 of the OWGR. Right now, there are only 2 and both of those are LIV players who’ve won a major in the last 16 months. The only… pic.twitter.com/u4oq3S6Xqt
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) October 15, 2023
While the OWGR has historically been celebrated as the ultimate yardstick of golfing excellence, Jerry punctured the inflated bubble and said, “They are genuinely PGA Tour rankings.” In essence, players not teeing off in PGA events find their prospects of ascending these rankings exceedingly limited.
Golf fans and sponsors left in the rough
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Apart from Jerry, David Feherty also minced no words in addressing the fallout from this OWGR upheaval, he said, “There’s really only one big loser in the whole thing, and that’s the golf fan. And the most important fans we have are sponsors that want the biggest names in their tournaments. There’s people above my pay grade who should be able to do the math.”
In a world where numbers often dictate the narrative, David Feherty unequivocally calls for a closer look as the fans have fewer opportunities to witness their non-PGA Tour favorites compete on grand stages. Moreover, the ramifications extend to sponsors, whose desire to star power drives the sport’s financial engine. As non-PGA Tour players dwindle within the top 50, tournaments risk losing the star quality that sponsors eagerly seek.
The changes analyzed by the golf analysts have left the golfing world thinking. However, amidst this transformation, there is room for adjustment and hope that those in charge will come up with a solution that keeps both players and sponsors content and satisfied.
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What are your thoughts on this? Can golf strike a balance where both coexist harmoniously?
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