Lee Westwood Slams World Golf Rankings After Shocking 3,759-Place Leap Following Open Championship Surge…Read More…
In a moment that has sent shockwaves through the golfing world, English golf veteran Lee Westwood has come out swinging—this time not with his club, but with sharp criticism aimed directly at the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system. The 51-year-old former World No. 1 made headlines this week after leaping an eye-watering 3,759 positions in the rankings following his impressive performance at The Open Championship. But far from celebrating, Westwood used the moment to launch a scathing attack on what he describes as a “broken and absurd” ranking system.
A Surprising Climb, A Fiery Response
Westwood, who had fallen deep into obscurity in the rankings due to his reduced playing schedule and shift to the LIV Golf League, defied expectations by finishing tied for 14th at Royal Troon. His steady play, including a gritty final round of 69 under difficult conditions, reminded fans of the man who once challenged Tiger Woods during his prime. But it was what happened after the tournament that stunned even the most seasoned golf analysts.
The OWGR, which calculates player rankings based on a complex formula involving event strength, player field, and finish position, showed Westwood skyrocketing from 4,126th to 367th—an almost unimaginable 3,759-spot jump.
Rather than bask in the unexpected glow of his rise, Westwood delivered a blistering critique.
“It’s a joke, really,” Westwood told reporters during a media appearance in London on Tuesday. “How does a single tournament suddenly make me go from near-forgotten to top 400 in the world? Either I was ridiculously undervalued before this, or the whole system is just wildly inconsistent.”
The LIV Factor
Much of Westwood’s criticism stems from ongoing controversies surrounding the treatment of LIV Golf players within the OWGR system. Since the Saudi-backed breakaway tour launched in 2022, its players have repeatedly found themselves sidelined by the traditional ranking framework. The OWGR has refused to award points for LIV events, citing differences in tournament structure, including limited fields, no cuts, and shotgun starts.
Westwood, who has played almost exclusively on LIV Golf since its inception, argues that the system has unfairly penalized him and other elite players simply for choosing an alternative circuit.
“We’re not playing charity golf out there. The level of competition on LIV is real. To suggest that none of our results matter, and then suddenly decide that one good Open showing makes us world-class again—it’s absurd,” Westwood said.
Support and Backlash
Westwood’s comments have sparked a polarizing debate in golf circles. Some players and analysts have come out in support of the former Ryder Cup stalwart, echoing concerns about the OWGR’s credibility and transparency.
Former major winner Ian Poulter tweeted, “Lee’s not wrong. The OWGR needs to take a long hard look at itself. Rankings should reflect a player’s ability, not where they choose to play.”
Conversely, others have criticized Westwood’s timing and tone, arguing that it’s disingenuous to lash out at the system only when it benefits him.
ESPN golf analyst Amanda Balionis noted, “While Lee raises valid points, there’s also a contradiction in criticizing the OWGR after receiving a massive jump in the standings. If he’d finished 50th and remained static, would we even be hearing this?”
OWGR Response
The Official World Golf Ranking body has remained largely silent on Westwood’s remarks, issuing only a brief statement through a spokesperson:
“The OWGR continues to evaluate and refine its methodology in line with global professional golf standards. We understand there are passionate opinions, and we welcome dialogue from all stakeholders.”
The statement did little to calm the storm, especially as mounting pressure grows for OWGR officials to address long-standing complaints about bias against emerging tours and inconsistencies in points allocation.
A Bigger Conversation
Westwood’s dramatic rankings leap has now become a flashpoint in a broader conversation about the future of professional golf. With the global landscape fractured between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and DP World Tour, questions around fairness, legitimacy, and visibility continue to dominate the discourse.
Golf fans and commentators have suggested that this may be a turning point for the sport—a moment when governing bodies must reckon with the changing dynamics of competition and the outdated nature of centralized rankings.
Westwood Not Done Yet
Despite being in the twilight of his career, Westwood has made it clear that he’s far from finished—both on the course and in challenging golf’s status quo.
“I’ve been around long enough to know when something stinks,” he said. “If me playing well and jumping 3,700 places is what it takes to expose it, then so be it. I’m not just playing for trophies anymore—I’m playing to set things right.”
As the golf world awaits further response from the OWGR and its affiliated tours, one thing is clear: Lee Westwood’s voice still carries weight. And this time, it might just echo loud enough to trigger change.
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