LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm was wrapped in a new controversy involving a PGA Tour player. But this time, it was in his favor. Surprising, right?
The incident happened when Michael Kim, who recently stole the spotlight with his impressive performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, finished 3 strokes behind the winner, Russell Henley.
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That performance ultimately moved his Official World Golf Ranking to 52nd. But when Kim learned about it, he celebrated the achievement in his own unique style.
“I’m currently a better golfer than Jon Rahm in the OFFICIAL world golf rankings,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Kim then unnecessarily clarified that he was joking. As if it were not obvious, writing:
“Can’t wait for the LIV bots 😂
“It’s obviously tongue in cheek everyone.”
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, it is no joking matter. He has slipped out of the top 50 recently!
After his plummet, many blamed him for leaving the PGA Tour in the first place. The two-time major winner joined LIV Golf in 2024, which doesn’t earn OWGR points.
Meanwhile, Kim earns points for every PGA Tour event he plays.
Why is LIV Golf not earning OWGR points?
LIV Golf has been trying to get recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for years, but it’s been tough. The tour’s 54-hole format is different from the traditional 72-hole format, making it hard for them to get recognized.
The use of shotgun starts, smaller fields and lesser competition have been cited as to why its players continue to fall down the world rankings.
But things got worse when former LIV CEO Greg Norman announced that the tour was giving up on its bid for OWGR recognition. This means that players like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm will have a more difficult time improving their world golf rankings and making it to the Ryder Cup.
But Rahm is still hopeful. He wants to play for Europe at the Ryder Cup in September and is counting on the appeals process to work in his favor. “My plan is to be on that team at Bethpage,” he shared after the 2025 Dubai Classic event.
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