OWGR is one of the most crucial aspects that lead the path to the majors and many crucial events. In the past, we have seen LIV Golf struggling to get approval for world ranking. Now, with just days away from the Masters, golfers have started to make the event performance count and find themselves in contention for the event. With the ongoing Houston Open, golfers like Rickie Fowler, Jake Knapp, Si Woo Kim, and many others rely on the low finishes to get maximum points for the OWGR boost.

However, now, with the update on the OWGR policy, getting the boost would become even tougher as the insiders share details on it. Earlier, the players, with their ranking, got the points based on their position and the strength of the field. Now, the tweak of the ranking system has caught light and has already been under scrutiny. But not for the insiders. Recently, on the Fried Egg Golf podcast, Brendan Porath and Andy Johnson shared about the recent update.

During the discussion, Johnson began by asking, “Did you know they apply a virtual cut to no-cut events?” Like many others, Paroth was clueless about it. Surprised, he asked for more details. Johnson explained, “They apply a virtual cut to no-cut events so you don’t get free points.” For example, at the Sentry, Eric Cole finished 52nd after four rounds, but under the new policy, he didn’t receive any OWGR points. Strange, but that’s the new system.

Only the top players will benefit. But what has left the world questioning is how smaller tours will benefit from it. Especially DP World Tour players, who may struggle to break into the top 50 positions at open-field events. Though this is a topic for debate, what has been made clear is how the performance curve will come into play to reward winning and performance.

Performance curve for OWGR ratings

Previously, the system used field strength to determine the top 200 players in each round. However, officials changed the criteria for each tournament, incorporating the performance curve to award points.

Here’s how the event points will be distributed:

• Major Championships will award 100 first-place ranking points.

• The PLAYERS Championship will grant 80 points.

• Other tournaments will calculate points based on the strength and depth of the field, with a maximum of 80 first-place points.

• Players with 10 or fewer scores will receive a value of 0.01. While those with fewer than 50 recorded scores will get a maximum of 10% of the field rating.

For comparison, take Rory McIlroy, who won the PLAYERS Championship. He got an 80-point boost for his win. However, for the DP World Tour players, Laurie Canter, despite his victory at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, could only get a boost of 21.

Even the players failing to get through the top 50 positions at the PGA Tour events will suffer a huge loss of OWGR points. What are your thoughts on the system? Share with us in the comments below.