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The Official World Golf Ranking is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers. It was started in 1986 and is based on a player's position in individual tournaments over a rolling two-year period. The rankings are calculated each week, with players ranked according to their average points during the relevant ranking period. This is determined by dividing a player's total points by the number of eligible tournaments they have played. The OWGR system includes eligible tournaments from the leading professional golf tours, major championships, and competitions worldwide. Ranking points are derived from each eligible tournament's field rating and are subject to a player's finishing position.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Rating the performance level of professional golfers |
| Ranking Calculation | Divide points total by the number of events played |
| Ranking Period | Rolling two-year period |
| Ranking Frequency | Calculated each week |
| Eligible Tournaments | Major Championships, World Golf Championships, Olympic Games, and the World Cup of Golf |
| Minimum Eligible Tournaments | 40 |
| Maximum Eligible Tournaments | 52 |
| Ranking Points | Derived from each Eligible Tournament's Field Rating |
| Ranking Points Duration | Maintained at full value for 13 weeks, then reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks |
| Strokes Gained World Rating | Based on actual scores in Eligible Tournaments from completed rounds of 18-hole stroke play |
| Comparison | Compare ranking performance for up to four players |
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What You'll Learn
How rankings are calculated
The Official World Golf Ranking is a system for rating the performance level of professional golfers. It was started in 1986. 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.
In simple terms, a golfer's World Ranking is obtained by dividing their points total by the number of events they have played, which gives their average score. Players are then ranked according to their average score, with the highest first.
The first stage in the calculation is the ranking of each event. For most events, the ranking depends on the current world rankings of the participating golfers and the participation of the leading golfers from the "home tour". A "world rating value" is calculated. Any golfer currently ranked in the world's top 200 is given a rating value. The world number one is allocated 45, number two is allocated 37, and number three is allocated 32, down to those ranked between 101 and 200, who are allocated a rating value of one each. The maximum possible world rating value is 925, but this would only happen if all the top 200 golfers were playing.
A "home tour rating value" is also calculated. The leading 30 golfers from the previous year's "home tour" are given rating values. Most tours use earnings lists for their top 30, but the PGA Tour currently uses the FedEx points list calculated after the playoffs. The home tour number one is allocated eight points, down to 16-30, who are allocated a rating value of one each. The maximum home tour rating value is 75 if all the top 30 players from the home tour are competing. The total home tour rating value is limited to 75% of the world rating value. The world rating value and home tour rating value are added together to give a "Strength of Field" value. This is then converted into an event ranking using a table. For example, a strength of field value of 10 converts to an event ranking of eight, a strength of field value of 100 converts to an event ranking of 24, and a strength of field value of 500 converts to an event ranking of 62.
In 2010, a maximum number of tournaments was introduced, set at 60, and later reduced to 52 in 2012. This means that only the player's 52 most recent tournaments (within the two-year period) are used to calculate their ranking average.
Strokes Gained World Rating is based on a player's actual scores in stroke-play events, adjusted for the relative difficulty of each round played over a rolling two-year period. This rating is presented relative to all players within the Ranking. Strokes Gained World Rating is made possible by the interconnectivity of professional golf. In a given two-year period, there are approximately 2,800 rounds in which 8,600 players have posted 250,000 scores. With many rounds in common, professional golfers are interconnected at and through all levels of play.
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Criteria for eligible tournaments
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers. The rankings are based on a player's position in individual tournaments over a "rolling" two-year period. All players competing in these eligible tournaments are included in the rankings. The rankings are calculated each week, and they serve as a qualifying criterion for entry into leading tournaments.
For a tournament to be eligible for the OWGR, it must meet specific criteria set by the OWGR. Here are the key factors that determine whether a tournament is eligible:
- Organisation and Sanctioning: The tournament must be organised and/or sanctioned by an Eligible Golf Tour. This includes major golf tours and championships recognised by the OWGR, such as the PGA Tour, the R&A, and the International Federation of PGA Tours.
- Official Tournament Schedule: The tournament must be published on the Eligible Golf Tour's official tournament schedule. It should be a part of their regular calendar and recognised by the governing bodies of golf.
- End-of-Season Ranking Lists: The tournament must count towards the Eligible Golf Tour's end-of-season ranking list. This means that the results of the tournament will impact the rankings of players within that tour.
- Minimum Field Size: There should be a minimum of 30 players participating in the tournament. These players must be qualified to compete in that tournament according to its eligibility criteria.
- Joint Sanctioned Tournaments: In the case of tournaments sanctioned by more than one Eligible Golf Tour, each tour must contribute at least 30 players. These joint-sanctioned tournaments must meet the criteria set out in Section F (Eligible Golf Tours) and Section H (Eligible Formats) of the OWGR regulations.
- Major Championships and Events: The Major Championships, World Golf Championships, Olympic Games, and the individual element of the World Cup of Golf are considered Eligible Tournaments. These are the most prestigious and significant golf events worldwide.
By meeting these criteria, a tournament becomes eligible for inclusion in the OWGR system. This ensures that only competitions of a certain standard and prestige contribute to the rankings of professional golfers. The OWGR periodically reviews and updates these criteria to maintain the fairness and accuracy of the ranking system.
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Ranking points
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a system for rating the performance of male professional golfers. It was established in 1986 and is calculated weekly. The rankings are based on a player's position in individual tournaments over a rolling two-year period. Ranking points are central to the system.
Eligible Tournaments
Eligible tournaments include leading professional golf tours, Major Championships, and competitions worldwide. Eligible Tournaments qualify for ranking points according to OWGR regulations. To be eligible, a tournament must be organised or sanctioned by an Eligible Golf Tour, published on the Eligible Golf Tour's official tournament schedule, and count towards the Eligible Golf Tour's end-of-season ranking list. Additionally, it must have a minimum field size of 30 qualified players.
Any player competing in Eligible Tournaments receives Ranking Points based on their finishing position. These points are derived from the Eligible Tournament's Field Rating, which is calculated once all players have teed off. The OWGR System operates over rolling Ranking Periods. Ranking Points are initially maintained at full value for 13 weeks from the relevant Ranking Date to emphasise recent performances. Subsequently, they are reduced in equal decrements over the remaining 91 weeks of the Ranking Period.
Calculating Rankings
Rankings are calculated by dividing a player's total points by the number of Eligible Tournaments they have played during the Ranking Period, subject to minimum and maximum divisors. The minimum divisor is 40 Eligible Tournaments over the Ranking Period, while the maximum is usually 52, comprising the player's most recent tournaments within the two-year period. Each player is then ranked according to their average points during the Relevant Ranking Period.
Rating Values
The first step in calculating rankings is rating each event. Most events are rated based on the current world rankings and participation of leading golfers from the "home tour". A world rating value is assigned to the top 200 golfers, ranging from 45 for world No. 1 to 1 for golfers ranked 101-200. A home tour rating value is also calculated for the top 30 golfers from the previous year's home tour, with No. 1 allocated 8 points down to 1 point for golfers ranked 16-30. The maximum home tour rating value is 75 if all 30 players compete. The world rating value and home tour rating value are combined to determine the "Strength of Field" value, which is then converted into an event ranking.
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Ranking performance
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers. It was started in 1986 and is calculated weekly. The rankings are based on a player's position in individual tournaments over a rolling two-year period.
The OWGR covers eligible tournaments from the leading professional golf tours, Major Championships, and competitions worldwide. Any player competing in these eligible tournaments will receive ranking points based on their finishing position. Ranking points are derived from each eligible tournament's field rating, which is calculated based on the current world rankings and the participation of leading golfers from the "home tour".
The ranking points are maintained at full value for a 13-week period from the date they were awarded, with recent performances weighted more heavily. After this period, the points are reduced in equal decrements for the remaining 91 weeks of the relevant ranking period.
A golfer's world ranking is obtained by dividing their total points by the number of events they have played, giving their average. Players are then ranked according to this average, with the highest average being ranked first.
The OWGR allows for a comparison of ranking performance for up to four players over various periods, from a single season to their entire careers. This provides an insightful tool to analyse and compare the performance of golfers relative to their peers.
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Organisations involved
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is a system for rating the performance of male professional golfers. It was started in 1986 and has been produced by a company called "Official World Golf Ranking" since 2004. The OWGR system is run over rolling ranking periods, typically two years, with new rankings calculated each week.
The OWGR system is governed by a company that has seven members and a governing board. The members are:
- The PGA of America
- The International Federation of PGA Tours
- The USGA
- The PGA Tour
- Augusta National
- The R&A
- The PGA European Tour
Each member contributes to the running of the company and appoints one director to the governing board. The governing board also includes a chairman.
The OWGR system is endorsed by the four major championships and six major professional tours, five of which are charter members. The OWGR confirms the field rating for eligible tournaments, which are organised and/or sanctioned by eligible golf tours. These eligible golf tours include the Major Championships, World Golf Championships, Olympic Games, and the World Cup of Golf (individual element only).
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Frequently asked questions
The World Golf Rankings are a 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. Each player is 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.
Eligible tournaments include the leading professional golf tours, Major Championships, and competitions from around the world. To be eligible, tournaments must be organised and/or sanctioned by an Eligible Golf Tour and meet certain criteria, such as having a minimum field size of 30 qualified players.
New rankings are calculated each week, with ranking points maintained at full value for a 13-week period to place emphasis on recent performances.
