Graeme McDowell has described the Official World Golf Rankings as 'inaccurate and irrelevant' amid LIV Golf 's latest snubbing. Since the Saudi-backed series kicked off in June, it has been unable to acquire OWGR points leading to a number of the game's big names tumbling down the world rankings.
In a bid to rectify this, the Saudi-backed circuit announced a 'strategic alliance' with the MENA Tour, co-sanctioning last week's event in Bangkok and this week's in Jeddah. The hope was to finally gain ranking points starting with these two tournaments, thanks to MENA being an OWGR recognised circuit.
Their co-sanction plan failed though, as the ranking system confirmed ahead of last week's event in Thailand that MENA's application provided 'insufficient notice' to investigate the new 'Limited Field Tournaments' - better known as LIV Golf events.
Amid the LIV's ranking crisis, McDowell has slammed the legitimacy of the world rankings, with he and his fellow rebels unable to earn points. In a press conference alongside newly crowned LIV champion Dustin Johnson, the Northern Irishman used his fellow player as an example when questioning OWGR's validity.
He said: "This guy standing in the middle of the three of us [Johnson], if his world ranking is inaccurate, then the whole system is inaccurate. I feel like LIV tried to do everything they possibly can to be legitimate in the eyes of the OWGR.
"The word 'Official' has to go away from OWGR if they don't take care of the players out here." McDowell's comments seemingly echo the thoughts of his LIV Golf boss Greg Norman, who has also slammed the decision to snub the circuit from the rankings.
As a result, the Australian called for those in power to put their opinions on the Saudi-backed series aside and 'grow up'. He told Wion : "By degrading the strength of field by not allowing LIV players to get OWGR points, it’s not doing the game of golf any good.
"Rise above it all. It’s good for the players, it’s good for the game of golf, it’s good for production, it’s good for corporations, it’s good for OEMs, it’s good for fans, it’s good for everybody. Just because you have a negative viewpoint and you’re one of the voting members of an independent organization, that you hate LIV and you vote against it. Grow up.”
