LIV Golf stars were given the chance to earn some much-needed world ranking points at last week’s Masters, but two of their biggest names in Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson did not capitalise
Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson both saw their position in the Official World Golf Ranking fall following last week’s Masters, in a missed opportunity for the LIV Golf stars.
Rahm and Johnson were back in action at Augusta National as past champions, with Rahm defending the title he won 12 months earlier. Both however failed to make their mark in the event, in a rare opportunity to gain some word ranking points. LIV continue to host events without OWGR points on offer, after being rejected by the ranking system last October.
Having competed without points on offer, those who play their golf on the Saudi-backed series have seen themselves tumble down the world rankings. Rahm remains the league’s highest-ranked player having only just made the switch for the 2024 campaign.
The 2023 green jacket winner headed to Augusta last week ranked third in the world, having battled it out for the No. 1 spot with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in recent years. Rahm had been inside the top three since January 2023, but after three months with the breakaway league he has finally slipped to fourth.
The former world No. 1 would have headed into the Masters with every intention of making ground on Scheffler and McIlroy, but it was not to be. The European Ryder Cup star’s title defence was an underwhelming one, as he went on to finish a tie for 45th at nine-over-par for the week.
This saw Rahm overtaken by Xander Schauffele in the rankings, and amid his LIV loyalties, will have to wait until next month’s PGA Championship to get the chance to reclaim his spot inside the top-three. Uncharacteristically, Rahm admitted he did not feel ‘comfortable’ with his golf swing, posting his worst Augusta performance to date.
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