OWGR announces two changes to golf ranking system: "The door is opening for LIV"
The Official World Golf Ranking have announced changes to the way points are awarded, which will affect the PGA Tour's signature events.
Changes are coming to the way world ranking points are awarded in professional golf events.
The Official World Golf Ranking announced on 21 December the two adjustments will come into effect from 1 January 2024.
The first change will see a 'new points distribution curve' that will award greater points to the top finishers in fields where there are 80 competitors or less on OWGR accredited tours.
Ranking points will no longer be awarded to players finishing in the bottom 15 per cent of fields of this size which do not have a cut.
This change will affect the PGA Tour's signature events, of which there are expected to be fields of 70-80 players.
The signature events feature bumper prize purses. They were created to counter the rival LIV Golf League.
Some of the Tour's signature events will also not have a cut, a topic which has been controversial for players and fans.
Only the Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Memorial will retain a 36-hole cut for 2024.
The second change the governing body announced will see the introduction of a 'multi-win package'.
That will provide: "A 60 per cent bonus to players who win for a second time within a 52-week period on any eligible Tour; a 70 percent bonus is awarded to players who win three or more times. Any points bonus is capped at a total of four points."
The subject of world ranking points in the world of men's professional golf has proved a hot topic in recent years, stemming from the introduction of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
The rival league applied for OWGR accreditation last July but their bid was officially rejected in October.
Without ranking points, LIV players are struggling to qualify for golf's major championships.
Many golf fans and players have argued the ranking system is now obsolete. Others have argued the LIV players are reaping what they sow.
It has already been speculated by some golf fans that the announced changes mean 'the door is opening to LIV'.
In full, the OWGR statement read:
The Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) today announced two updates to the ranking system.
First, for fields of 80 players or less on all eligible Tours, a new points distribution curve will award a greater percentage of available points to top finishers in those events.
Also, with noted exceptions, ranking points will no longer be distributed to players finishing in the bottom 15 per cent of the final standings for these events that do not have a cut.
Additionally, for events with a match play format, players who lose their first-round match or lose all matches in a pool format will no longer receive ranking points."
The statement continued: "Second, the governing board also introduced a new multi-win benefit that provides a 60 percent bonus to players who win for a second time within a 52-week period on any eligible Tour; a 70 percent bonus is awarded to players who win three or more times.
Any points bonus is capped at a total of four points.
"Based on extensive analysis following the changes implemented in August 2022, we recognised these two opportunities to further enhance the OWGR and to accurately evaluate performances of the world’s participating players on all eligible Tours," said OWGR chairman Peter Dawson.
"Adjustments to the Ranking are made after careful consideration, and we are confident that today's updates will better position the OWGR for the future."
The approved changes will go into effect on January 1, 2024.
OWGR will continue to monitor the operation of both mechanisms through 2024 and will make any further adjustments if deemed necessary.
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