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Official World Golf Ranking: What is the history and how does the system work? (GolfWRX Explains)

Published

4 years ago

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How is the Official World Golf Ranking system calculated? It’s a question we at GolfWRX get more often than you’d think. So, we’ve put together this guide to better understand the history, the formula, and the importance of the OWGR system.

The OWGR is crucial in professional golf as it is used as one of the qualifying criteria for entry into several leading tournaments.

Here is a rundown of the Official World Golf Ranking system with all the information you need to know.

When did the Official World Golf Ranking begin?

The first official ranking system called the ‘Sony Ranking’ began at the 1986 Masters.

How does the current Official World Golf Ranking work?

Each player earns World Ranking Points over a two year rolling period with the points awarded for each tournament maintained for a 13-week period to place greater weight on recent performances.

Points are distributed from each event based on the strength of the field. Players within the top 200 in the world receive a ‘world rating value’ which counts toward the field’s rating.

The world No. 1 is allocated 45, the No. 2 is allocated 37, the No. 3 is allocated 32, down to those ranked between 101 and 200 who are assigned a rating value of 1 each.

Each player is then ranked according to his average points per tournament, which is calculated by dividing his total number of points by the tournaments he has played over that two-year period.

The formula is based on a minimum of 40 tournaments that the player has competed in over the two year ranking period and a maximum divisor of a player’s last 52 events.

How are the points awarded at the biggest events?

The winner of each of the four major championships receives 100 points. A runner-up finish earns 60 while a third-place spot gives a player 40 points.

The winner of the PGA Tour’s flagship event – The Players – receives 80 points while the victor at the European Tour’s flagship event – the BMW Championship – receives 64.

A regular tour event win on either the PGA Tour or Euro Tour earns players 24 points.

Why is cracking the top 50 especially important?

The top 50 players in the world are all eligible to compete in The Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Players. The world’s top 50 players also receive an invite to the Masters and all of the World Golf Championships.

When are the OWGR standings updated?

Every Monday.

Who has the most weeks as Number One in history?

  • Tiger Woods – 683 weeks
  • Greg Norman – 331 weeks
  • Rory McIlroy – 105 weeks
  • Nick Faldo – 97 weeks
  • Dustin Johnson – 91 weeks

Which Tours are included in the OWGR system?

  • PGA Tour
  • European Tour
  • Asian Tour 
  • PGA Tour of Australasia
  • Japan Golf Tour
  • Sunshine Tour
  • Korn Ferry Tour
  • Challenge Tour
  • PGA Tour Canada
  • Professional Golf Tour
  • Korean Tour
  • PGA Tour Latinoamérica
  • Asian Development Tour
  • PGA Tour China
  • Alps Tour
  • Nordic Golf League
  • PGA EuroPro Tour
  • ProGolf Tour
  • MENA Golf Tour
  • Big Easy Tour
  • China Tour
  • All Thailand Golf Tour
  • Professional Golf Tour of India
  • Abema TV Tour

Hopefully, this is all the information you need to answer the question “What is the history and format behind the OWGR?”. For more information, visit owgr.com

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Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf

Published

1 hour ago

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May 8, 2024

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On Tuesday, Chris McKee, a Toronto writer and radio host, wondered aloud on his X account if Phil Mickelson will be a commentator after his playing days are over.

“The second Phil Mickelson retires he’ll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf”

Mickelson saw the post and responded, saying he’s not interested in moving from the course to the broadcast booth.

“Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality video but it’ll be fun for me to do and fun to watch I think too.”

While I believe many fans would like to see Phil in the booth, his idea of “Pro’s vs Schmo’s” could certainly be intriguing.

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19th Hole

PGA Tour pro sounds off on ‘unfair’ PGA Championship invites

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1 hour ago

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May 8, 2024

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This week, the PGA of America made some surprising announcements regarding the field of next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The event now will feature 16 LIV players with Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk and Patrick Reed receiving special exemptions.

PGA Tour player, Dylan Wu, took issue with how the exemptions were used and went to X to share his thoughts.

“Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in.”

“Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH”

“Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ????”

Fans who replied to Wu seemed to agree that a more definitive ranking system for the PGA Championship should be established.

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19th Hole

Report: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’

Published

20 hours ago

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May 7, 2024

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On Tuesday, the full field for the PGA Championship at Valhalla was released. In some surprising news, a handful of LIV players were granted exemptions including Dean Burmester, Patrick Reed, Lucas Herbert and Adrian Meronk.

The most surprising omission was Louis Oosthuizen. The South African has been one of the most consistent players on LIV this season, and also won two DP World Tour events in the fall.

According to the AP’s Doug Ferguson, Oosthuizen was actually given an invitation, but declined due to “personal commitments”.

In total, there will be 16 LIV golfers teeing it up next week at Valhalla.

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