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How far have LIV players dropped down World Golf Rankings?

How far have LIV players dropped down World Golf Rankings?
© Reuters
After the conclusion of the first season of LIV Golf, Sports Mole takes a look at how far their respective players have dropped down the World Golf Rankings since leaving the PGA Tour.

As the curtain came down on the first season of LIV Golf on Sunday evening, as many as 52 of their participants were left to celebrate earning at least $1m, many of whom did not play close to the full eight tournaments on the schedule.

If you look further down the numbers, 34 players earned in excess of $2m, 14 players more than $5m and five players accumulating eye-watering totals of at least $10m.

Dustin Johnson earned $19m more than anyone else, victory for the 4Aces in Miami over the weekend taking him to $35.64m, yet the Saudi Arabia-backed golf series are still waiting to add world ranking points to their pulling power.

Despite the public insistence that these events categorically warrant that particular status, LIV Golf tournaments do not meet the criteria required, and a lengthy process is involved when it comes to becoming sanctioned by the organisation which can make or break the careers of players.

With some LIV Golf players having already secured qualification for the majors for the foreseeable future, they will deem their drop down the World Golf Rankings to be largely irrelevant.

Nevertheless, some players who have left the PGA Tour or are currently in conflict with the DP World Tour are more reliant on their spots in those standings, and Sports Mole takes a look at where the highest-profile LIV Golf players now place in the world rankings.


Dustin Johnson in action at the Masters on April 8, 2021© Reuters

Johnson may have spent Monday morning counting more dollar bills, but the former world number one is now down to 31st place, while second-highest earner Branden Grace finds himself in 176th positions.

As a PGA Tour journeyman, Peter Uihlein will not care that he is 343rd when he has just collected nearly $13m, although Patrick Reed will be conscious of dropping down to 60th with his Masters success coming four-and-a-half years ago.

Charl Schwartzel, who won the first LIV Golf event in England, has fallen down to 145th, while Matthew Wolff is 137th despite having revived his stuttering career with LIV Golf.

Joaquin Niemann remains as high as 22nd having still been with the PGA Tour until the Fedex Cup Finals, but Brooks Koepka is down to 40th place.

Charl Schwartzel during the final round of the first LIV Golf event on June 11, 2022.© Reuters

Former Masters winner Sergio Garcia is on the brink of falling outside of the world's top 100, now in 90th spot, although Cameron Smith is still in third on the back of his triumph at The Open Championship in July.

Talor Gooch will be content with his current 39th position, while the likes of Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter are 48th, 117th and 136th respectively.

Former Open winners Louis Oosthuizen and Henrik Stenson are 43rd and 186th respectively, with Bryson Dechambeau now outside the world's top 50 and in 52nd.

Phil Mickelson is still as high as 155th, despite earning no ranking points since February, but Jason Kokrak is currently still in 47th position after leaving the PGA Tour.

Sam Horsfield pictured in October 2018© Reuters

Sam Horsfield, Laurie Canter and Richard Bland - at varying stages of their career - all moved in May, and the English trio now sit at 106th, 169th and 87th respectively.

Mexico's Carlos Ortiz has fallen to 190th, but compatriot Abraham Ancer remains in 25th position having impressed on the PGA Tour before his switch.

Of the other high-profile names, Graeme McDowell is now 425th place, Martin Kaymer is 416th, and 2021 Ryder Cup representative Bernd Wiesberger is 123nd.

American duo Kevin Na and Harold Varner III are 41st and 46th respectively, while Australia's Marc Leishman has recently dropped down to 64th spot.

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Dustin Johnson in action at the Masters on April 8, 2021
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