Individual LIV Golf champion Jon Rahm welcomed the awarding of Official World Golf Ranking points, but says they have not gone far enough.
The Spaniard, who finished top of the standings in 2024 and 2025, is unhappy that only the top 10 finishers at each LIV Golf event will be awarded OWGR points.
A LIV Golf statement issued after the announcement was scathing in its criticism of the OWGR for not going far enough in the awarding of points.
Despite LIV Golf's opening event in Riyadh being rated lower than the DP World Tour's Qatar Masters this week, the winner in Saudi Arabia will get more OWGR points (23-20.9).
But with only 10 players receiving points, LIV said it "disproportionately harms" players finishing just outside those spots in the 57-man events.
"As well as emerging talent working to establish themselves on the world stage - precisely the players a fair and meritocratic ranking system is designed to recognize," LIV Golf added.
And Rahm agrees with that stance, saying he was unhappy that LIV was being treated differently to other tours around the world.
“Yeah, it's fantastic that we're getting points," said Rahm during the first round in Riyadh. "It's fantastic that we're being recognised in a way.
“With that said, I don't like how we're not being treated the same as every other tour. It seems like the rules that have been in place aren’t really applied to us, with only 10 of us getting points. It doesn't seem fair."
Do you agree with Jon Rahm’s comments that the OWGR’s decision ‘doesn’t seem fair’? Let us know by joining the conversation below..
Rahm cited other small field events, possibly referring to the likes of the Hero World Challenge and certain Signature Events on the PGA Tour that have smaller fields but a wider points distribution.
The two-time Major champion wants more points to be awarded, but is at least thankful that the ball is rolling with the OWGR breakthrough.
"There are small fields out there throughout the course of the year that get full points," Rahm added.
“While it's good for some people. It could cost some players to actually lose world ranking points, instead of gain them. Because finishing in 11th is basically a missed cut and we're already adding to the devisor.
“But I'm thankful that LIV golf got their foot on the door, and there's a possibility for us to walk in the room and be recognised as a tour, as we should be.”
For its part, the OWGR said the team tour did not meet certain aspects in its criteria including field size, no-cut events and pathways - so it remains to be seen if any future LIV changes will be made.
