The debate surrounding the recognition of LIV Golf by the OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) has sparked a passionate response from former Masters champion, Sergio Garcia. In an interview at The Grange ahead of LIV Adelaide, Garcia shared his thoughts on the controversial decision to award world-ranking points only to the top 10 finishers in each event on the Saudi-backed tour.
LIV Golf has criticized the move as an "unprecedented" and "unequal" step, but Garcia sees it as a positive development for players. However, he expressed concern about the potential impact on LIV Golf stars aiming to climb the rankings and secure spots in the prestigious majors.
"It's a step in the right direction," Garcia said. "But is it truly fair? Only time will tell. It doesn't feel entirely just... When one of us wins, they'll make a significant jump, which is fantastic. But finishing 11th or lower means getting a zero and an additional event added to your ranking divisor. That can be devastating."
Garcia added, "It's a positive step. At the end of the day, it will help some talented youngsters move up the rankings. Hopefully, they perform exceptionally well. But unfortunately, only 10 players can finish in the top 10. It would be ideal if it were extended further, as we believe it should. Hopefully, that change comes soon."
Garcia, currently ranked 369th in the world, once held the No.2 spot and has a lifetime exemption at Augusta as the 2017 Masters champion. He has previously criticized the OWGR ranking points as irrelevant to most LIV players, given their significant drop in rankings.
A key change that led to OWGR's recognition of LIV Golf after nearly four years was the decision to expand events from three rounds to four. This move has caused a stir within the tour, with star recruit Bryson DeChambeau making subtle comments last week about the conditions not meeting players' expectations.
When asked about the format change, Garcia responded, "It's manageable, but there are challenges. Preparation requires an extra day, making the weeks slightly longer. With extensive overseas travel, it becomes tougher to arrive with sufficient time for proper preparation. But we've managed it our entire careers, so we're accustomed to it. It's a fair adjustment."
His Fireballs teammate, David Puig, had a more optimistic view of the shift, believing it allows the best players to truly shine. "For the top performers that week, I think it's an improvement. You have to perform exceptionally for an extra day to win or finish high. With the three-day format, the first round was critical. A strong start gave you a chance to win, but it didn't guarantee a high finish. The three-day format made it easier to finish high. On the other hand, a poor first round meant battling the next two days to crack the top 15. I think it's more equitable and simply better."
The discussion also touched on the PGA Tour's Players Championship and its status as the world's 'fifth major.' Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee recently caused a stir by declaring the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass as potentially the greatest tournament globally.
Garcia, a champion at Sawgrass in 2008, was hesitant to comment on other tours but couldn't resist a playful remark: "I'd happily claim a second major if that were to happen."
When pressed on whether Australia deserves more recognition following successful LIV tournaments in Adelaide and the impressive Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, where Garcia competed, the Spanish legend was unequivocal.
"Without a doubt, Australia has a passionate golf following. They've shown us their excitement and love for the game. This event showcases amazing young players with great potential alongside established stars. The Australians should be incredibly proud of what they have. Unfortunately, they haven't had such a consistent field year after year like LIV has over the past four years. It's a privilege to have that consistency."
What are your thoughts on these developments? Do you agree with Garcia's assessment? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments!
