Jon Rahm makes his debut appearance at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and, with a bumper field that includes the likes of Rory McIlroy and Rahm’s fellow LIV Golf teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, it’s a chance for names to make a strong start to their seasons.
Not only is there plenty of cash and Race to Dubai points available, but also World Ranking Points, something that Rahm or any LIV Golfers will be unable to secure when they return to the circuit in early February, an aspect the two-time Major winner feels “is wrong.”
Rahm topped the LIV Golf Individual Standings for 2024, claiming 12 top 10s in 13 events
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Currently, the LIV Golf League is without OWGR points and, having withdrawn its bid in March 2024, it’s unlikely that it will have points going forward into the next few years.
“I think I expressed my opinions on the World Ranking system before I joined LIV. But they told us — they told me early on, I think even before I signed in the early conversations, that they were not going to pursue those discussions to the same level because they knew where it was directed,” explained Rahm at his press conference on Tuesday.
“I think at this point to not give LIV World Ranking points and the credibility it deserves, I think is wrong. Listen, I understand we’ve all made a decision and it’s not as easy as it sounds but, to say that LIV players don’t deserve some spots in Major championships, I think is wrong and I hope that evolves into what it should be.
“I think Joaquin Niemann has done a good enough job for him to earn his way into Major championships without invites. Talor Gooch played good enough a few years ago to earn his way into Majors without invites. There should be a way for us to qualify. And the World Ranking points, need to figure something out because it’s not fair for anybody in that sense.”
Niemann secured a second straight special invitation to The Masters in April
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It’s not just OWGR points where questions have been thrown up, with European players from the LIV circuit attempting to secure a place on Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team in September at Bethpage Black.
To be eligible for Ryder Cup qualification, players must have played a minimum of four DP World Tour tournaments. However, after making those four…
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