It has been relatively difficult for LIV Golf pros to rank on the world ranking system when compared to players from another league. Notably, the Official World Golf Ranking denied LIV Golf’s application for added points. Then, recently, CEO Greg Norman retracted the appeal which was long overdue, which anyway did not see much progress.

As a result, the LIV Golf players have the only choice to play in OWGR-sanctioned events by other leagues, precisely the Asia Tour and DP World Tour. Anirban Lahiri, the Crushers GC member, has also been playing on the European Tour and is at the Hero Indian Open. There, Lahiri gave an honest overview of the broken OWGR system.

Anirban Lahiri calls out the discrepancy with the OWGR

In an Exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, Anirban Lahiri did not hold back, and shared his gripe with the Official World Golf Ranking over its differential treatment to LIV Golf and other leagues. When ES host, Aravind Menon asked the Indian golfer about his views on OWGR and LIV Golf’s strained relationship, Lahiri said, “I think the OWGR, obviously, they need to, you know, figure out how to fix it, you know, the system is broken.”

Now, the 32-year-old wasn’t only talking for LIV Golf, he was highlighting how the system provides major points to the PGA Tour and how leagues like the Asian Tour and DP World Tour have to suffice with comparatively low points. Which makes it hard for the pros to rank better. Lahiri shared the dilemma faced by low-rank golfers in qualifying for the majors.

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“It’s almost impossible for now someone to now qualify for the Masters because to break into the top 50 in the world, you almost have to play in the PGA Tour,” said Lahiri as he agreed that the American League had exceptional talent, he argued that there were many other around the globe who never may get a chance for the major because of OWGR system, despite playing good

Giving an example of his, Tom Kim, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat’s success story, Lahiri stated that it would have been impossible in the current scenario. Because the OWGR “would never have allowed us to break into the top 50 or 100 in the world,” said the LIV pro.

Furthermore, Lahiri declared the current scene was a “sad state of affairs” for golf and reminded the OWGR that “their job is to promote world golf, not US golf.” He called the differential nature of the system a “step-brotherly treatment” for all the other Tours. The 7-time Asian Tour winner also shed light on why Greg Norman withdrew the application. 

Anirban Lahiri reveals the reason behind Greg Norman turning away from OWGR

Lahiri, probably playing at the Hero Indian Open (though he missed the cut) for the OWGR points, explained that the OWGR took an indefinite time to respond to LIV Golf and its player’s appeal for points, to the point that it was just too late. Because of this Greg Norman decided to no longer please the world ranking system.

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The 2-time DP World Tour spoke on behalf of Norman and said, the LIV-CEO withdrew the application because “it’s been two years now and even if they were to grant us points, it would be so a… Infinitesimal, so small, so tiny that even if they were to give us points, it could actually not make any difference because the damage has already been done.” 

From the smell of it, it seems that the PIF-backed circuit and its players have probably moved on from the OWGR, denying them any points. The pros may play at the Asian or DP World Tour for it but it would be a miracle to see them make another appeal to OWGR.

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