LIV world ranking snub explained as DeChambeau claims 'we've met requirements'
Bryson DeChambeau believes LIV Golf have met all the requirements to receive recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
The LIV setup have been able to lure in some of golf's biggest names - including DeChambeau - since their inception in June 2022, but despite the ever-growing standard of their roster, they are yet to be OWGR-sanctioned. This has seen the league host events for over two seasons without the offering of ranking points - a bitter pill to swallow for DeChambeau and co.
The 2020 U.S. Open champion became the latest LIV star to vent his frustrations towards the powers that be at the ranking system, insisting the Saudi-backed league tick every box when it comes to the OWGR's requirements.
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"They said 'you need certain requirements', we have fulfilled all those requirements, despite what everybody thinks," he told LIV's Fairway To Heaven podcast. "If you go look at their handbook, we have fulfilled every single criteria. It's been over two years now.
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"What's going on guys? It's a bit frustrating, but nothing we can do at this moment. If we showcase ourselves in the major championships there's no way they can keep us out. We just got to play well in the majors and once we do, they have no choice."
Despite DeChambeau's claims it seems those in charge do not agree, with LIV's latest bid for ranking recognition rejected last October, with OWGR highlighting a number of issues. On the back of the rejection, OWGR bosses highlighted LIV's 54-hole, no cut tournament format, as well as their promotion and relegation system, which sees a number of the league's membership retain their playing rights regardless of their positioning in the year-long standings.
DeChambeau left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf in 2022 (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)Reiterating the hurdles preventing the LIV setup, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson told the Associated Press at the time: "We are not at war with them.This decision not to make them eligible is not political. It is entirely technical. LIV players are self-evidently good enough to be ranked.
"They're just not playing in a format where they can be ranked equitably with the other 24 tours and thousands of players trying to compete on them... Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, of course they should be in the ranking. We need to find a way to get that done. I hope that LIV can find a solution, not so much their format; that can be dealt with through a mathematical formula, but the qualification and relegation."
Unsurprisingly, LIV bosses were less than impressed with the ruling, questioning the legitimacy of the ranking system with the breakaway league's cast aside. "OWGR's sole objective is to rank the best players across the globe. Today's communication makes clear that it can no longer deliver on that objective," a LIV statement read last October.
"Professional golf is now without a true or global scoring and ranking system. There is no benefit for fans or players from the lack of trust or clarity as long as the best player performances are not recognised. LIV will continue to strive to level set the market so fans, broadcasters, and sponsors have the assurance of an independent and objective ranking system and the pure enjoyment of watching the best golf in the world."
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