PGA Tour star brutally silences LIV Golf rivals as world ranking row rolls into Olympics
Golf World in Turmoil: LIV Golf Stars Fall from Grace as Olympic Dreams Shattered
The world of professional golf is in upheaval as LIV Golf players experience a dramatic plunge in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), leading to their exclusion from the Olympic Games. This seismic shift in the golf landscape comes as a number of high-profile players find themselves sidelined, unable to compete on the grand stage in Paris due to their controversial switch to the breakaway league.
Two years into its existence, LIV Golf continues to host tournaments without OWGR points, a decision that has seen its players’ rankings plummet. The league’s 54-hole, no-cut format has not been accredited by the OWGR, resulting in a significant number of its stars slipping down the rankings. The issue has become even more prominent with the Olympic golf event choosing its field based on the OWGR.
The exclusion of prominent LIV Golf players such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Cam Smith from the Paris Olympics has ignited a heated debate. Canadian golfer Nick Taylor, a PGA Tour stalwart, has shown little empathy for the sidelined LIV players. Taylor’s comments underscore a growing sentiment that the consequences faced by these players were inevitable, given their decision to join LIV Golf.
Taylor expressed his views bluntly, stating, “I guess time will tell” about the implications for Olympic qualification. He further remarked, “I think you can ask any of them; they knew what decision they were making. This was a byproduct of them not being eligible, at least if they left a couple years ago. Everyone who plays on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour, or around the world, receiving points, it’s as accurate as it can be currently. But for guys that went to LIV and aren’t able to be here, they made that choice. So as it currently stands, it is what it is.”
As the Olympic golf competition unfolds at Le Golf National, seven LIV Golf players have managed to secure spots in the field. Among them is Jon Rahm, the league’s star signing, who represents Spain. Despite his world ranking ensuring his participation, Rahm has voiced his opinion on the qualification process, suggesting a shift away from OWGR-based selection.
Rahm argued, “Allow the countries to pick themselves. There needs to be some guidelines, but Team USA basketball has the freedom to choose whoever they want. I understand it’s a different circumstance, but I think you need to let each country choose who they want to play.”
Rahm’s perspective highlights a growing frustration within the LIV Golf community. His teammate, David Puig, has also navigated a complex path to the Olympics, joining the Spanish team through his recent performances on the Asian Tour to improve his world ranking.
The controversy extends beyond Spain, with other countries fielding all-LIV Golf teams. Mexico, for instance, has Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz, while Chile features Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira. Poland’s Adrian Meronk is another LIV-affiliated player competing in the Olympics.
As the golf world watches closely, the fallout from the LIV Golf saga continues to unfold, raising questions about the future of player eligibility and the impact of such a dramatic shift in the sport’s landscape. The situation remains fluid, and its implications for future Olympic qualifications and world rankings are yet to be fully realized.
