SAN DIEGO—Jon Rahm achieved a world ranking milestone at Torrey Pines eight years ago. By the time the sport wraps up tomorrow at the San Diego muni, Rahm will hit another OWGR item of note, albeit one he doesn’t want.
Rahm’s career breakthrough came here in La Jolla Pines in 2017, dropping a 60-footer on the final hole to win the Farmers Insurance Open, a victory that moved Rahm into the OWGR’s top 50 for the first time in his career. Four years later, the Spaniard captured his maiden major championship with a tour de force performance at the 2021 U.S. Open that returned him to No. 1 in the world.
But Rahm is not at Torrey this week for the relocated Genesis Invitational, instead playing in Australia for LIV Golf after his defection to the Saudi league. And because LIV infamously does not receive OWGR points, Rahm has plummeted down the standings. According to OWGR guru “Nosferatu,” when the new rankings come out Sunday night, Rahm will be outside the top 50 for the first time since his inaugural Torrey triumph.
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Aside from LIV’s lack of points, Rahm was hurt by his major performance in 2024. He missed the cut at both the Masters and PGA Championship then pulled out of the U.S. Open with a toe infection. He was able to right the ship with a T-7 at the Open, but the damage had been done. For what it’s worth, Rahm did win twice last year on LIV and played well in three DP World Tour starts.
Former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman pulled out the league’s OWGR application (although only after it had been rejected), and new leader Scott O’Neil has signaled that LIV’s OWGR pursuit “has passed.” Unless Rahm performs well at the majors this summer, expect the drop to continue.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
