Tiger Woods at centre of fresh LIV Golf furore after staggering rankings rise
The legendary golfer's surge up world rankings has been heavily scrutinised.
Tiger Woods' surge up the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) has not gone down well as the American golfing legend rose 430 spots on the back of finishing 18th out of 20 players in his invitational Hero World Challenge. It was Woods' first competition since withdrawing from the Masters in April and the golfing great had fallen to a career-low 1328th last week.
Yet on the back of his return, the 47-year-old climbed to 898th in the world despite only finishing ahead of two players. However, the main reason people are up in arms is the fact the Hero World Challenge is an unofficial PGA Tour event that consisted of just 20 players. A large reason LIV golfers were told they were unable to play for points was the fact its events are limited to 48 competitors.
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Greg Norman launched an application for LIV to earn OWGR points but it was denied earlier this year and it has seen the likes of Cameron Smith slide down the world rankings. The ranking points at the Hero World Challenge have been heavily criticised as Will Zalatoris, who made his return from a back injury, earned 2.1 world ranking points which sees him remain at No.33 in the world despite finishing nine shots last.
To put into perspective England's Laurie Canter, who is signed to LIV, earned just 3.6 points for a tie for fourth at the Australian Open, a PGA Tour event. Social media users were angered by the points earned at the event, saying it is simply not fair given the reasons LIV were provided on why its events couldn't be granted rankings points.
These are legitimate questions. Especially when you factor in they won't give limited fields on LIV any OWGR and the tournaments in Australia did not receive as many points for better finishes ast the HERO did.
Should there be another form for World Golf rankings?
Cheers🥃🥃 https://t.co/GplzqzYZYt— 19th Hole Golf ⛳️🥃 (@jwattsgators1) December 4, 2023
Tiger Woods jumped 430 spots in the "Official World Golf Rankings" from 1328 to 898 this week.
What did Tiger do for this astronomical increase in OWGR points?
Tiger finished 18th out of 20 in a no-cut tournament hosted by himself.— LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) December 4, 2023
The World Golf Rankings have officially become insignificant. Zalatoris picking up 2.10 points for finishing last by 9 shots! You’d have had to finish 7th in this weeks DPWorld event in SA to earn the same. pic.twitter.com/9uO7idwB3s
— Paul Hendriksen (@paulhendriksen) December 4, 2023
Wow, and the 30 man field is below the published criteria laid down by @PGATOUR for @OWGRltd points.
Where now, other than 72 hole events (which qualify elsewhere) do they go with the arguments against @livgolf_league gaining points?— Andrew Y Johnston (@AndrewYJohnston) December 4, 2023
This is all you need to confirm the @OWGRltd is a joke. https://t.co/okiD10Hmhq
— Syndrome Golf (@SyndromeGolf) December 4, 2023
Tiger Woods targets a tournament a month in 2024
Woods has his sights set on more regular golf in 2024 after successfully completing 72 holes in his comeback from injury in the Hero World Challenge. Despite a somewhat underwhelming performance, the legendary golfer says he is just happy to be back and playing and plans to complete a tournament a month in 2024.
"If you ask me right now I'm a little bit sore but once a month seems reasonable," Woods said on completion of the 72 holes. "It gives me a couple of weeks to recover, a week to tune up."
A tournament a month in 2024 would mean the golfing great would likely target all four major championships, the Genesis Invitational in February and the Players Championship. Woods' planned schedule may be viewed as a bit ambitious considering his lack of play in recent years but the 47-year-old American is confident that he can not only take part but recapture some of his old form.
"I think I can get into the rhythm of it," Woods said. "I think that having a couple of weeks off to recover, a week to build up, there’s no reason why I can't get into that rhythm. It's just a matter of getting in better shape basically. I feel like my game's not that far off, but I need to get in better shape."
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