Miles Bennett
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a system for rating the performance level of professional golfers. It was started in 1986 by the Championship Committee of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and sports agent Mark McCormack. The OWGR is calculated using a points-based system, with players accumulating points over a two-year rolling period. Eligible tournaments from the leading professional golf tours, Major Championships, and competitions around the world are included in the OWGR. Any player competing in Eligible Tournaments will receive Ranking Points based on their finishing position.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To rate the performance level of male professional golfers |
| Qualifying criteria | Players must play a minimum of 40 tournaments over a two-year rolling period on one of the 23 leading professional Eligible Golf Tours |
| Eligible tournaments | Major Championships, World Golf Championships, Olympic Games, and the World Cup of Golf (individual element only) |
| Ranking points | Derived from each Eligible Tournament's Field Rating, which is determined by the sum of all golfers' points; points are maintained at full value for 13 weeks from the relevant Ranking Date, then reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks |
| Strokes Gained World Rating | Based on a player's actual scores in Eligible Tournaments from completed rounds of 18-hole stroke play, adjusted for difficulty; there is a minimum of -14.6466 and a maximum of 2.8981 |
| Performance points | Each Strokes Gained World Rating has a corresponding value of Performance Points determined by the Performance Curve; players with 10 or fewer recorded scores in Eligible Tournaments are assigned a value of 0.01 Performance Points |
| Ranking calculation | A golfer's World Ranking is given by dividing their total points by the number of events they have played, subject to minimum and maximum divisors |
| Ranking frequency | New rankings are calculated each week |
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What You'll Learn
The points-based system
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a points-based system that rates the performance level of professional golfers. It was started in 1986, and new rankings are calculated each week.
The OWGR system runs over rolling ranking periods, typically looking at performance over a two-year period. Ranking points are derived from each eligible tournament's field rating. The field rating is determined by the sum of all golfers' points. A player's strokes gained world rating dictates the number of performance points they bring into a tournament. This is based on their scores in eligible tournaments from completed rounds of 18-hole stroke play, adjusted for the relative difficulty of each round.
Players accumulate points over the two-year rolling period to determine their ranking. To qualify for a ranking, a player must play a minimum of 40 tournaments within this period. Ranking points are maintained at full value for 13 weeks from the date they were awarded, to place emphasis on recent performances. Points are then reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks of the ranking period. Each player is then ranked according to their average points during the relevant ranking period, which is determined by dividing their total points by the number of eligible tournaments played, subject to minimum and maximum divisors.
There are other points-based ranking systems used in professional golf, such as the FedEx Cup points system, which is specific to the PGA Tour. This system focuses on performance across a season, typically from April to August, and the player with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the FedEx Cup Champion.
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Eligible tournaments
To be considered an eligible tournament, an event must meet specific criteria. Firstly, it must be recognised as part of an Eligible Golf Tour, such as the PGA Tour, and meet the criteria outlined by the OWGR. This includes being organised or sanctioned by the Eligible Golf Tour, published on their official tournament schedule, and counting towards their end-of-season ranking list. Additionally, the tournament must have a minimum field size of 30 qualified players.
Major Championships, such as the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship, are among the most prestigious eligible tournaments. These events carry a higher point value, with winners receiving a significant number of ranking points.
Other eligible tournaments include the World Golf Championships, Olympic Golf Competitions, and the World Cup of Golf (individual element). The inclusion of these events in the OWGR system ensures that golfers' rankings reflect their performance in significant global competitions.
It's important to note that team events are not considered eligible tournaments, as the OWGR focuses on individual player performance. Additionally, eligible tournaments are subject to review and update, with the OWGR confirming the Field Rating for each tournament after the commencement of play. This dynamic approach ensures that the OWGR system remains adaptable to the evolving landscape of professional golf.
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Field strength
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a points-based system for rating the performance level of professional golfers. The rankings are based on a player's position in individual tournaments over a rolling two-year period. New rankings are calculated each week.
The OWGR system takes into account the field strength of eligible tournaments. The field rating of an eligible tournament is determined by the sum of all golfers' points. Fields are evaluated by the skill level of every player involved, rather than just the top 200 players as it was previously. All players making the cut in an event now receive ranking points.
The number of ranking points a player receives is influenced by the field strength and the player's performance relative to that field. A smaller event with fewer top-ranked golfers will give out fewer points compared to an event that attracts more top players. For instance, the winner of the PGA Tour's signature events will now see a 21% allocation of ranking points available for that tournament, as opposed to the previous 17 or 18%.
In no-cut events, ranking points are not awarded to the bottom 15% of the field. In events with a cut, all players who finish all the rounds will receive ranking points. Only the top 75% of finishers will receive ranking points in no-cut events.
The OWGR system is not the only ranking system in golf. Each tour around the world has its own system for ranking players. For example, the European Tour and LPGA have their own rankings. The FedEx Cup system is specific to the PGA Tour and focuses on performance across a season.
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Player performance
The number of points awarded in each tournament varies depending on the field rating, which is based on the skill level of every player involved. The higher the field rating, the more points are available. Major championships, for example, have a higher field rating and thus award more points to the winners.
Players' performance in each tournament is also taken into account when calculating their ranking. Their scores in completed rounds of 18-hole stroke play are adjusted for the relative difficulty of each round played over the relevant ranking period. This is known as the Strokes Gained World Rating, and it determines the number of performance points a player brings into a tournament.
To qualify for a ranking, a player must play a minimum of 40 tournaments within the two-year rolling period. Additionally, they must compete on one of the leading professional eligible golf tours. These tours are recognised by the OWGR and meet specific criteria, such as being organised or sanctioned by an eligible golf tour and having a minimum field size of 30 qualified players.
The OWGR system also places more emphasis on recent performances. 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. This means that players' rankings can change frequently, and their position is influenced by their performance in recent tournaments.
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Ranking criteria
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a system for rating the performance level of professional golfers. The rankings are based on a player's position in individual tournaments, i.e. not pairs or team events, over a "rolling" two-year period. New rankings are calculated each week.
The OWGR system is run over rolling ranking periods. Ranking points are maintained at full value for a 13-week period from the relevant Ranking Date on which they were awarded to place additional emphasis on recent performances. Ranking points are then reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks of the relevant Ranking Period.
Each player is then ranked according to their average points during the relevant Ranking Period, which is determined by dividing a player's total points by the number of eligible tournaments they have played during that Ranking Period. There is a minimum divisor of 40 Eligible Tournaments over the Ranking Period, with no more than the most recent 52 Eligible Tournaments counting towards a player's position in the OWGR.
Eligible tournaments from the leading professional golf tours, Major Championships, and competitions around the world are included in the OWGR. Any player competing in Eligible Tournaments will receive Ranking Points subject to their respective finishing position. Ranking Points are derived from each Eligible Tournament's Field Rating.
A player’s Strokes Gained World 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. Scores from completed 18-hole round stroke-play events in Eligible Tournaments are eligible for inclusion in the Strokes Gained World Rating. There is a minimum Strokes Gained World Rating of -14.6466 and a maximum of 2.8981. Each Strokes Gained World Rating has a corresponding value of Performance Points determined by the Performance Curve.
The OWGR is not the only ranking system in golf. Each tour around the world has its own system for ranking players. For example, the European Tour and LPGA have their own rankings. Points on these tours are factored into the OWGR calculation, and their events are considered based on their field strength. The FedEx Cup system is also specific to the PGA Tour.
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Frequently asked questions
The OWGR is a system for rating the performance level of professional golfers. It was started in 1986.
The OWGR is a points-based system. Players accumulate points over a rolling two-year period based on their finishing positions in sanctioned tournaments. The number of points awarded depends on the prestige and difficulty of the tournament.
New rankings are calculated each week and are released every Monday.
A golfer's ranking is of considerable significance to his career. For example, a ranking in the World Top 50 grants automatic entry to all the majors and World Golf Championships.
