Nina Caldwell
Golf is a sport that draws a lot of attention each year, especially during major tournaments. These tournaments, such as The Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the PGA Championship, are considered the biggest events in golf and carry the most weight in determining golf rankings. Golfers' standings are determined by a variety of factors, including the amount of official prize money they have earned, their performance in recognised tournaments, and points-based ranking systems. The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and the FedEx Cup points system are two prominent ranking systems used in professional golf, with the former ranking male golfers based on their performance over a two-year period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basis of rankings | Performance in recognised tournaments over a two-year period |
| Ranking system | Points-based |
| Prominent ranking systems | Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), FedEx Cup points system |
| OWGR ranking factors | Tournament performance, field strength, ranking points distribution, points decay |
| FedEx Cup ranking factors | Performance across the season, playoff qualification |
| Other factors | Strokes gained, course adjustment, strength of field, prize money |
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What You'll Learn
Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR)
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a system for rating the performance of male professional golfers. It was first introduced in 1986, and its creation was initiated by the Championship Committee of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The OWGR ranks male golfers based on their performance in recognised individual tournaments over a rolling two-year period.
Tournaments included in the OWGR are eligible tournaments from the leading professional golf tours, Major Championships, and competitions worldwide. Each eligible tournament is assigned a Field Rating, which determines the Ranking Points awarded to players. The number of points awarded depends on the tournament's prestige and difficulty, with major tournaments like the Masters or the U.S. Open offering more points due to the higher competition level.
Players earn Ranking Points based on their finishing positions in these sanctioned tournaments. These points gradually decrease over the two-year period, halving after one year and disappearing after two years. The OWGR also includes Bonus Ranking Points, which are awarded in certain circumstances. Ranking Points earned are maintained at full value for 13 weeks from the date they were awarded, after which they are reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks of the two-year period.
Each player is then ranked according to their average Ranking Points. This average is calculated by dividing a player's total points by the number of eligible tournaments they have played, with a minimum of 40 eligible tournaments considered in the calculation. The OWGR system is updated weekly, ensuring that recent performances are given additional emphasis.
The OWGR is recognised as one of the qualifying criteria for entry into leading tournaments. It is overseen by a Governing Board, which includes a chairman and seven directors appointed by the seven members of the company that runs the OWGR: The PGA of America, the International Federation of PGA Tours, the USGA, the PGA Tour, Augusta National, the R&A, and the PGA European Tour.
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FedEx Cup points system
Golf rankings are calculated using a points-based system. One of the prominent ranking systems used in professional golf is the FedEx Cup points system, which is specific to the PGA Tour. The FedEx Cup is a season-long points competition that usually runs from January to August. It offers $100 million in bonus money and concludes with the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
The FedEx Cup points system is designed to reward players for consistent performance throughout the regular season and playoffs. Players accumulate points based on their performance in PGA Tour events, with higher finishes in higher-profile events like major championships yielding more points. The higher the player finishes in a tournament, the more points they earn. Points earned throughout the season accumulate to determine playoff qualification and the final champion.
During the regular season, players earn points based on their finish in tournaments. The top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings qualify for the first playoff event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The field is then cut to 50 for the second event, the BMW Championship, and the top 30 players advance to the final event, the TOUR Championship.
The FedEx Cup Playoffs events award quadruple points compared to regular-season events. The first two playoff events award 2,000 points to the winner, while the playoff finale, the TOUR Championship, is played as a 72-hole stroke-play event, with all players starting the tournament at even par. The player with the lowest stroke total over 72 holes, combined with their starting strokes, wins the FedEx Cup.
In addition to the regular season and playoffs, the FedEx Cup also includes the FedEx Cup Fall, which consists of seven tournaments that finalize the top 100 players for the following FedEx Cup season. Players ranked 51 and beyond carry their FedEx Cup points from the regular season and the first playoff event into the FedEx Cup Fall, continuing to accumulate points to finalize eligibility for the next season.
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Money list
The money list is a method of ranking golfers based on the official prize money they have earned over the course of a year. While it was once a primary factor in determining who kept their tour cards and who was named PGA Player of the Year, it is now considered a supplementary way of evaluating golfers' performance.
The money list is a straightforward way to track golfers' success, as it is based on a tangible and absolute value. In the past, players would focus on maximising their winnings on the PGA Tour, not just to improve their financial situation, but also to climb the rankings. However, despite attempts to broaden the appeal of golf, there remains a reluctance to discuss money, which has led to the money list falling out of favour as the primary ranking method.
While the money list is no longer the primary ranking system, it is still a useful way to compare golfers' performance. For example, as of April 2025, Rory McIlroy was closing in on Tiger Woods in terms of career earnings.
It is worth noting that the money list does have its limitations. Golfers' abilities can be challenging to compare directly, especially if they have not competed against each other in the same tournaments. Therefore, it is important to also consider other ranking systems, such as the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), which takes into account the strength of the field in each tournament and the golfers' finishing positions.
In conclusion, while the money list is no longer the primary method of determining golfers' standings, it remains a relevant way to evaluate their performance and provide insight into their success on the PGA Tour.
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Strokes Gained World Rating
Golf rankings are calculated using a points-based system, with the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) being the most prominent one. The OWGR ranks male professional golfers based on their performance in eligible tournaments over a two-year period. The number of points earned depends on the tournament's prestige and difficulty, with major tournaments like the Masters or the U.S. Open offering more ranking points. These points gradually decrease over a rolling two-year period, eventually halving after one year and disappearing after two years.
The OWGR system uses a player's Strokes Gained World Rating to determine their number of Performance Points. This rating is based on a player's actual scores in eligible tournaments from completed rounds of 18-hole stroke play, adjusted for the relative difficulty of each round played over the relevant ranking period. The minimum Strokes Gained World Rating a player can have is -14.6466, and the maximum is 2.8981. Players with 10 or fewer recorded scores in eligible tournaments during the ranking period are assigned a value of 0.01 Performance Points.
The Field Rating for each eligible tournament is determined by the sum of the Performance Points for all players in the tournament field. OWGR provides a projected Field Rating for an eligible tournament after receiving the Starting Field Data from the Eligible Golf Tour. Once all players have teed off and any updates have been provided, OWGR confirms the Field Rating for the tournament.
Each player is ranked according to their average Ranking Points, which is calculated by dividing their total points by the number of eligible tournaments played during the ranking period. The ranking points remain at their original value for 13 weeks and are then reduced by 1/92 each week for the remaining 91 weeks of the ranking period. This process ensures that recent performances are given additional emphasis in the rankings.
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Major tournaments
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the major championships or simply "the majors", are the most prestigious tournaments in golf. There are four globally recognised major championships: the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship (also known as the British Open). These four tournaments are the most important in the sport and attract the best players from around the world.
The Masters Tournament is hosted annually in April by the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The PGA Championship takes place in May and is hosted by the PGA of America at various locations in the US. The U.S. Open is held in June and is hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) at different venues across the country. The Open Championship, the oldest of the majors, originated in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.
Winning a major tournament can significantly boost a player's career, bringing prestige, sponsorship opportunities, and exemptions from tour card requirements. The majors are known for their rich history and traditions, with each tournament venue presenting unique challenges and narratives that captivate audiences worldwide.
Each major championship employs a specific playoff structure to determine its winner in the event of a tie. For instance, the PGA Championship uses a 3-hole playoff aggregate stroke play, followed by a sudden death format if players remain tied. The U.S. Open uses a 2-hole aggregate playoff, also progressing to sudden death if necessary. Similarly, the Open Championship uses a 4-hole stroke-play playoff to determine its winner.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf standings are determined by a points-based system. The two most prominent ranking systems are the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and the FedEx Cup points system. The OWGR ranks male professional golfers based on their performance in recognised tournaments over a two-year period. Players earn points based on their finishing positions, with more prestigious and difficult tournaments offering more points. The FedEx Cup, on the other hand, is specific to the PGA Tour and focuses on performance across a season. Players accumulate points by participating in PGA Tour events, with higher-profile events yielding more points.
In the OWGR system, each player is ranked according to their average Ranking Points. These points are derived from each Eligible Tournament's Field Rating, which is based on factors such as the date of the tournament, its prestige, the standard of the other participants, and the value of the tournament prize fund. Ranking Points are maintained at full value for a 13-week period and then reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks of the relevant Ranking Period.
Yes, major tournaments such as The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship carry more weight in the ranking calculations. These tournaments offer more ranking points due to their higher competition level and are considered "bigger" events than regular tournaments.
