I’m currently a better golfer than Jon Rahm’ – PGA Tour star sparks OWGR debate

“It’s obviously tongue in cheek everyone,” Michael Kim clarified afterwards, but his point still resonated as the debate surrounding golf’s world ranking system resurfaced yet again but in humorous fashion on Monday.

Kim, the 31-year-old American, continued his impressive start to the season on the PGA Tour by finishing solo fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill on Sunday.

That followed a run of five strong results that included a runner-up at the WM Phoenix Open and a tie for sixth at the Cognizant Classic – with Kim suddenly up to a career-high 52nd in the world rankings.

And it has not been lost on Kim – a must follow account on X (formerly Twitter) – that this leap puts him above a certain major winning Spaniard in the rankings.

I’m currently a better golfer than Jon Rahm,” he tweeted. “OFFICIAL world golf ranking.”

As the replies came flooding in, Kim added: “Can’t wait for the LIV bots.”

That of course, concerns the ongoing frustration of the LIV Golf League and its followers that they are not recognised in what has become a muddled ranking system.

Despite winning LIV’s individual title on his debut season in 2024, Rahm has slipped down to 59th from his pre-LIV ranking of No.3 in the world.

LIV’s plight without access to ranking points – which remain crucial for major championship qualification – is such that Joaquin Niemann, widely considered one of the best players in the world, has fallen to 81st in the world. Brooks Koepka, even in spite of winning the PGA Championship as a LIV player, is languishing 100 places below Niemann.

Meanwhile, Data Golf, which ranks both LIV and PGA Tour players, has Rahm as the world No.5, with Kim at 24th in their widely respected calculations.

The good news for LIV is that the US Open and The Open are offering the breakaway circuit direct pathways into the majors in 2025, but officials still believe that the league warrants more than the one full exemption a player will be awarded with by each tournament.

Rahm, who has not finished outside the top-ten since joining LIV before the 2024 season, made his feelings clear on the current system during a rare chance to compete for points at January’s Dubai Desert Classic.

“I think at this point to not give LIV World Ranking points and the credibility it deserves, I think is wrong,” Rahm said in Dubai.

“I understand we’ve all made a decision, and it’s not as easy as it sounds, but to say that LIV players don’t deserve some spots in major championships, I think, is wrong, and I hope that evolves into what it should be.

“The world ranking points need to figure something out because it’s not fair for anybody.”

Kim is in the field at The Players Championship this week at Sawgrass, while Rahm prepares to tee it up at LIV Golf Singapore.