Bryson DeChambeau has fallen out of the top 100 of the Official World Golf rankings for the first time in nearly six years. DeChambeau was one of the marquee names to make the mega-money move to LIV Golf last summer.
Despite signing for a lucrative fee, the American's Saudi-backed circuit switch has had a huge effect on his world ranking. Despite luring in some of the sport's biggest names, LIV is yet to acquire Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition.
Whilst the breakaway circuit has donned impressive and competitive fields, its lack of OWGR recognition has resulted in its playing roster competing without ranking points.
This has led to a dramatic fall down the rankings, especially for 2020 US Open champion DeChambeau. Just over a year-and-a-half ago, the American was ranked the fourth best player on the planet, and set his sights on becoming No. 1.
Less than two years on his lack of OWGR-recognised golf in 2022 has led to DeChambeau falling out of the top 100 players and into 102nd, and it is only set to get worse. Since his move to LIV last June, the former world No. 4 has competed in just three OWGR-affiliated events.
The lack of world ranking points has proved to be the biggest chink in LIV Golf's armour, and it remains unknown as to when - or if - they will receive OWGR recognition. A number of LIV's big-name players have criticised the ranking organisation, including DeChambeau.
The former US Open champion believes OWGR are 'denying the inevitable' when it comes to LIV's ranking saga. He said: "They’re delaying the inevitable. We’ve hit every mark in their criteria, so for us not to get points is kind of crazy with having the top.
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"At least I believe we have the top players in the world. We’re going to keep dropping down in the rankings to where our points won’t ever matter. That’s what they’re trying to accomplish, and I hope that people can see right through that rather than believe the lies that they’ve been told.”
The Saudi-backed circuit's highest ranking player Cam Smith has been the latest to take aim at OWGR. Stating the rankings will soon become 'obsolete'. Smith commented: "The longer this stuff goes on, I think the more obsolete those rankings become. Do we need them? It would be nice, but you know who you've got to beat when you get on the golf course."
