LIV Golf’s Bubba Watson claps back at Justin Thomas over OWGR comments
PGA Tour's Justin Thomas and LIV Golf's Bubba Watson got involved in a heated discussion on Twitter over points issued in the new Official Golf World Rankings (OWGR) system.
Since the inception of LIV Golf, there have been intense debates and discussions concerning the rift between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed series. However, the new OWGR system was the recent hot topic of debate, with Thomas and Watson joining the discussion.
Spieth’s last again at the Hero and will get 2.0886 OWGR points for his effort.
Players need to come 3rd in the Indonesian Masters this week to get that many.
The new system is going to crush the chances of “international” players getting into majors and it’s completely unfair.
The debate started with a post from @flushingitgolf, questioning the OWGR system. The Twitter handle pointed out that the player who finished last in the Hero World Challenge would receive the same number of points as the player who finished third at the Indonesian Masters.
It is pertinent to note that the Hero World Challenge is an unofficial PGA Tour event. It also called the new system 'unfair' and said that it would crush the chances of international players getting into the majors.
Former world no. 1 Justin Thomas reacted to the tweet by saying:
“An event with 15ish (sorry not sure [of] the exact number) of the top 20 in the world? It’s all about the quality of the field. The new system is hurting events like this more than it does that. Like anything in golf, play well enough in big events and you’ll be rewarded.”
Thomas also wrote that he has no problem with LIV Golf getting accredited with OWGR points. But he asserted that the series does not fulfil the criteria of going through a 2-3 year process to earn OWGR points.
"I have no problem with them getting points. They just need to meet the criteria like everybody else. But they don’t in 7 of the 8 categories from my understanding. Every tour went thru the 2-3 year process to earn OWGR pts, no reason they shouldn’t be different, right?"
@McbillsonBill @flushingitgolf I have no problem with them getting points, they just need to meet the criteria like everybody else. But they don’t in 7 of the 8 categories from my understanding. Every tour went thru the 2-3 year process to earn OWGR pts, no reason they shouldn’t be different right?
Bubba Watson joins the OWGR points fight against Justin Thomas
Bubba Watson immediately reacted to Justin Thomas' comments and insisted that LIV Golf shouldn't wait any longer to earn OWGR points. Two-time Masters Champion Watson was not in support of Thomas' comments and responded by giving examples to prove him wrong.
"It’s easy to repeat stuff others say without knowing the facts. Not all Tours are forced to wait for OWGR status. PGA Tour China was confirmed for points before playing its first event in 2014. OWGR has a long history of awarding points to 54-hole events too. #GoogleItItHappened"
@JustinThomas34 @McbillsonBill @flushingitgolf It’s easy to repeat stuff others say without knowing the facts. Not all Tours are forced to wait for OWGR status. PGA Tour China was confirmed for points before playing its first event in 2014. OWGR has a long history of awarding points to 54-hole events too. #GoogleItItHappened
Watson then included a link to the OWGR website, which shows some of the tours that have been approved for 54-hole events and receive OWGR points.
@JustinThomas34 @McbillsonBill @flushingitgolf The history page on OWGRs website shows some of the tours approved for 54 hole events that get OWGR points. owgr.com/our-history #JustSaying #LoveYouAlwaysJT
Though Bubba Watson was right about his claims, fans opposed him and claimed that Watson is trying to support LIV Golf to get OWGR points. Watson resigned from the PGA Tour this year and joined hands with LIV Golf.
The first line is incredible considering:
1. He’s just repeating Third Leg Greg’s talking points
2. While also choosing to ignore (*gestures wildly*) allllll the criteria they fall way, way, way short on twitter.com/bubbawatson/st…
Previously, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy shared their views regarding the new ranking system. While Woods called it 'flawed', McIlroy found it 'fair'.