Jon Rahm Moving Back Up The OWGR Rankings

In 2026, LIV Golf found itself in the position where it was recognized by the OWGR for the first time.  It’s only partial recognition, meaning that point opportunities are limited for the players.  During the Hong Kong event, Jon Rahm found himself taking home the trophy.  This also came with the benefit that he is now back in the top 50.

Jon Rahm In LIV

Before Rahm joined LIV Golf, he was the world no. 1 at one point, and he had a solid sponsorship with TaylorMade.  He was on top of his game.  After joining, he, of course, was barred from OWGR points and other leagues, so he found himself slipping outside the top 100.  A position he hasn’t been in over a decade.  Restrictions were eased, of course, and Rahm was allowed to join the DP World Tour.  During this time, fans were talking about how he didn’t feel relevant anymore.  Chamblee was even theorizing that the old format was leaving the players in a position where they were more relaxed than in other leagues or the majors.  Rahm even had a season without a win just last year.  However, starting this weekend, Rahm is no. 36.

Rahm Climbing In The OWGR

LIV players have been taking advantage of the OWGR points as much as they can.  After the first event, Rahm found himself firmly in the top 100.  Since then, he has been on top of his game, getting two second-place finishes before claiming first in Hong Kong.  This is all on top of Rahm being one of the critics of how the OWGR was approaching these points.

“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 don’t really apply to us, with only 10 of us getting points. It doesn’t seem fair. The small fields out there throughout the course of the year, their players get full points.”

Rahm was glad to have the points, but just felt that it still wasn’t fair.  Yet here he is, a couple of months later, well within the world top 50.  Rahm has even been going through a tumultuous time over the past couple of weeks.  Mainly with the DP World Tour, as he is still defending his current stance on the outstanding fines.  

LIV Golfers Seeing Success

LIV Golf has a shaky position in the golf world.  The league has barely been recognized by the larger community, and it’s suffering from budgeting issues.  However, the players tend to be the silver lining.  They tend to be liked by the fans watching the events.  Even Brooks Koepka was liked on both the PGA and LIV before he returned to the former.  With the new points situation, they can make things interesting.  They’re becoming more competitive in the global rankings.  Players like Rahm are skilled and have been fan favorites before LIV.  It will be interesting to see LIV players climb the rankings.