The latest chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding the LIV Golf Series has been the breakaway circuit’s failure to be recognised by the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). Since its inception this summer, LIV Golf has been at the centre of a civil war within the sport.
CEO Greg Norman has been able to lure in some of the game’s biggest names on mega-money contracts from their PGA Tour rivals, including the likes of Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson.
Whilst they have reaped the benefits financially, it has come at a cost for most with regard to their position in the world rankings, and with the Saudi-backed circuit yet to acquire OWGR points, that fall is set to continue.
Mirror Sport has decided to take a look at some of the biggest victims of LIV Golf not being rewarded ranking points...
Martin Kaymer (-179 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 210
Current ranking - 389
One of the biggest fallers following a move to LIV Golf is two-time major champion Kaymer. Once the man at the top of the world rankings, the German now finds himself dwindling in 389th.
Granted the German is not quite the player he once was when becoming a US Open and PGA Champion, however the 37-year-old has seen himself drop a whopping 179 places in less than four months since signing on the dotted line with LIV Golf earlier this year.
Phil Mickelson (-63 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 71
Current ranking - 134
Next on the list is another multiple major winner and former world No. 1, in Mickelson. The American is arguably the biggest name to make the LIV switch and has been embroiled in the controversy surrounding the breakaway circuit from the very beginning.
The once fan favourite saw his popularity fall along with his world ranking, after drifting 63 places and outside the top 100 to 134th for the first time since 1993.
Graeme McDowell (-50 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 364
Current ranking 414
Following on from Kaymer and Mickelson, another major winner who has seen his ranking plummet is McDowell. Like his former Ryder Cup colleague Kaymer, McDowell has been far from his best in recent years, and his move to the Saudi-backed circuit has done him no favours.
Prior to his switch, the Northern Irishman found himself ranked 364 in the world rankings, and after nearly four months of non-ranking golf, McDowell has seen himself drift outside the top 400 and into 414th.
Matthew Wolff (-46 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 77
Current ranking - 123
Just two seasons ago, Wolff was being tipped as one of golf’s hottest prospects having finished second on debut at the 2020 US Open. Things now however are not looking too bright for the American.
Like those mentioned, Wolff has seen his world ranking go down quickly after signing on the dotted line, but whilst Kaymer’s, Mickelson and McDowell’s careers are nearer their end, the American was supposed to be only just getting started. Less than two years ago Wolff was ranked the 12th best golfer on the planet, but now finds himself dwindling outside the top 100 in 123rd.
Ian Poulter (-40 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 89
Current ranking - 129
Arguably one of the most vocal members of the LIV Golf quota in recent months has been Englishman Poulter. Once regarded as Europe’s talisman in the Ryder Cup, Poulter - like many others - finds his reputation tarnished, with his European career seemingly all but over due to his LIV allegiances.
Along with his Ryder Cup legacy, his world ranking has also taken a hit, having fallen 40 places down to 129th in less than four months.
Pat Perez (-32 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 168
Current ranking - 200
One man who has reaped the reward of LIV’s team element and high stakes prize money is Perez. Despite breaking the top 15 just once on the circuit, Perez has been one of LIV's biggest earners after being carried by his 4 Aces teammates Patrick Reed, Talor Gooch, and Dustin Johnson when winning four straight team titles., and £2.7 million in team prize money on each occasion.
Whilst the American’s bank account has certainly grown, his world ranking has gone the other way, having dropped 32 places to 200th since signing on the dotted line with the Saudi-backed series.
Lee Westwood (-29 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 74
Current ranking - 103
Next up is another former world No. 1 and European Ryder Cup star in Westwood.
With 44 professional wins to his name, the Englishman has been an ever-present at the top of the game throughout his career, however after nearly four months without ranking points he has drifted 29 places and outside the top 100 in 103rd.
Sergio Garcia (-26 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 55
Current ranking - 81
Joining his other European golf stalwarts in sliding down the world rankings is Garcia. Despite being crowned Masters champion five years ago, Garcia’s recognition in the world of golf has taken a huge blow.
Controversy surrounding him heightened last month after he marked a contentious return to the DP World Tour at the BMW PGA Championship by withdrawing after one round. This lack of OWGR competition has seen him fall 26 places to 81st.
Bubba Watson (-26 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 86
Current ranking - 112
Another Masters champion who has endured a fall from grace is Watson. A two-time winner at Augusta, Watson was well regarded as being one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour.
However a switch to LIV Golf has seen him take a fall in both the popularity rankings and the world golf rankings, with the American currently sat in 112th, 26 places worse off than he was prior to signing on the dotted line with Norman and co.
Bryson DeChambeau (-19 places)
Pre-LIV ranking - 29
Current tanking - 48
Last but certainly not least on the list is DeChambeau. Whilst he has not always been everybody’s favourite player on Tour, not for one moment was his talent ever questioned. The American revolutionised the game of golf with his big-hitting and scientific approach, announcing himself as one of the best on the planet.
Once a main-stay at the top of every leaderboard, a tough run of injuries followed by a switch to LIV Golf has seen DeChambeau drift out of the world’s best players conversation having plummeted to 48th in the world rankings in recent months.
