As soon as he finished his first 18 holes of the season, Jon Rahm spoke about the World Ranking’s decision to award —limited— points to LIV Golf, which was announced just before the start of the Saudi circuit’s season.
The former World Number One celebrated the first step taken by the world ranking, but did not hide his discomfort with the approved model: “It’s fantastic that we are earning points. It’s fantastic that we are being recognised in some way.”
From there, the tone of the speech changed. Exactly like the pattern of the LIV statement. Rahm questioned why only the top ten finishers of each LIV tournament can score for the world ranking: “I don’t like that we are not treated the same as other tournaments. It seems that the current rules are not really applied. Only ten of us score. I don’t think it’s fair.”
The Basque compared this situation to other recognised circuits, where players with less competitive weight receive full scoring throughout the season. A difference in treatment that, in his view, leaves LIV at a structural disadvantage.
Furthermore, he warns, in his opinion, of a perverse effect of the current system: “Some players might end up losing world ranking points, instead of gaining them. Finishing in 11th place is practically a mistake, and we are already increasing the divisor.”
Despite the criticisms, Rahm wanted to end on a positive note. The recognition, although partial, is a starting point. “I am grateful that LIV Golf has got a foot in the door and that we now have the possibility to enter the room and be recognised as a tour, as it deserves,” concluded the man from Barrika.
