Latest news with #LeeWestwood
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Golf legend and LIV hero Lee Westwood reveals one thing he will never do
English star is enjoying a resurgence in form and made one thing crystal clear after his opening round at LIV UK Evergreen Lee Westwood insists he'll never walk away from a golfing fight. The English star is in a rich vein of form and maintained his excellent work of The Open at Royal Portrush with a flying start to LIV UK. Westwood opened with a five-under round at JCB Golf and Country Club in Staffordshire and is revelling in current displays, which included a record-equalling back-nine score of 29 on his third round in last week's Major. The 52-year-old has endured massive highs and lows in his career, but has kept working and battling. Westwood said: 'I've never given in in my career. I've had slumps and I've bounced back. I've been at No. 4 in the world and then nearly 300 and then bounced back to No. 1. So that tells you that Lee Westwood doesn't toss it in on a golf course or in his career. I was brought up to keep trying hard and grinding it out. 'It's a continuation of going right back to Washington really when I shot 62 in the final round. I had been playing well leading up to there. Golf is the type of game where you feel like you've finally got it and it doesn't give you the score that you think you should do, right? It never quite lets you. 'But then that final round there, I shot nine-under, I think, and that was kind of the trigger to give me some confidence that the good stuff I was working on on the range and on the putting green and on the short game area was paying off score-wise now. Then the last few weeks I've played a lot better without really seeing dramatic results. 'But I've felt good play and hopefully good scores coming. I've been driving the ball well, driving it longer, so yeah, it's all moving in the right direction. Just clarity really, clarity on things I want to work on in my swing and short game, Just play one round at a time, narrow it down to that, and whatever happens happens.' Westwood and his colleagues are savouring the atmosphere at England's LIV event and and the former Ryder Cup hero is enjoying the adaption and change in tempo from the 153rd Championship in Northern Ireland last week. The occasions and the atmospheres are very different, but Westwood insists variety is important going forward in the current landscape of the sporting world. He said: 'Am I comfortable with it? Yeah, I don't mind change and adapting. It's people in general that don't like change and adapting. People are used to the traditions and staying in their ways, their comfort. But all sports have to adapt and change. I think golf is doing a great job of it through LIV, yeah.'
Newsweek
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Jon Rahm, Lee Westwood Slam OWGR System Ahead of Ryder Cup Selection
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Golf's major season is officially wrapped, and we're just 64 days away from the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. For most players, there's still a final window to fight for a spot before next month's BMW Championship, after which the automatic qualifiers will get locked. Unfortunately, that opportunity doesn't extend to LIV Golf pros. Unlike the PGA and DP World Tour members, LIV Golf players are still excluded from receiving Official World Golf Ranking points while playing in events hosted by their own club. Over time, many have echoed their frustration over the issue. The latest voice belongs to Englishman Lee Westwood, now ranked No. 930 in the OWGR. LIV Golf's Lee Westwood calls out OWGR system as "mockery" After tying for 34th at The Open, Westwood jumped 3,759 spots up the OWGR, placing himself ahead of his son, Sam, a mini-tour player ranked 2,759th. PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 19: Lee Westwood of England walks down the 1st hole with his wife and caddie Helen Storey during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club... PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 19: Lee Westwood of England walks down the 1st hole with his wife and caddie Helen Storey during Day Three of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 19, 2025 in Portrush, United Kingdom. (Photo by) More Getty Images When asked about it during Wednesday's LIV Golf UK press conference, Westwood stated that it "just proves that without world ranking points it makes a bit of a mockery of the system." With limited opportunities to earn ranking points via the DP World Tour and other sanctioned events, LIV pros continue to struggle. Dustin Johnson, former World No. 1 for 135 weeks, had dropped to No. 907 before a T23 finish at The Open that nudged him back to No. 571. If we skim through the list of the top 50 as well, it includes only Bryson DeChambeau (No. 16) and Tyrrell Hatton (No. 21). On Wednesday, Westwood applauded LIV's second OWGR submission, under new CEO Scott O'Neil's rule, but warned that time is running out. "I think mainly it relates back to wanting the best players in the major championships, not wanting this conversation where there's a few people missing out because we don't get world ranking points on LIV." "We either start to get world ranking points on LIV or the major championships have to revise their qualification system," he added, per the transcripts. "Some of them seem to want to do it, but some seem reluctant. They'd have to have a separate qualification system for LIV players, which I don't think anybody particularly wants. You want it all to be based off the same system." Jon Rahm, who joined LIV back in December 2023, echoed Westwood's concerns. Lee Westwood was not the only one Rahm has long criticized the OWGR's two-year rolling system, which he says penalizes players for short slumps and rewards strategic scheduling. UTTOXETER, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton of Team Legion XIII interact before playing their shot during LIV Golf: UK - Day 1 at JCB Golf & Country Club on July 26,... UTTOXETER, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton of Team Legion XIII interact before playing their shot during LIV Golf: UK - Day 1 at JCB Golf & Country Club on July 26, 2024 in Uttoxeter, England. (Photo by) More Getty Images "I already thought it was flawed before I ever came, and I was vocal about it," Rahm told journalists during the Wednesday conference. "So I think the last few years, even the world ranking itself and both Data Golf do a strokes gained ranking, and I think that much more reflects who truly is playing the best because the actual points being a two-year ranking, you can have a poor week or a poor three weeks, and that will hold you down for two whole years. "It's crazy how you can actually finesse a little bit of the system by playing certain weeks and not playing certain weeks and things like that. It's always going to be somewhat accurate but not the most, and I think strokes gained usually is going to be the better representation of how truly everybody is playing." That was not the end of players speaking boldly on the topic. Hatton, who finished T16 at The Open, emphasized the disconnect between talent and ranking. "I think there's a lot of guys out here that you certainly want to be playing in majors. If there's a better pathway for that for us, then that's brilliant," he expressed publicly during the same media conference. "There's a lot of guys out here, their current world ranking doesn't really reflect the type of golfer that they are," Hatton continued. "The sooner the world rankings can become a little bit more realistic again, the better it is for golf." Ryder Cup hopefuls like Hatton and Westwood risk losing their hard-earned positions. And with no OWGR points available, as LIV Golf UK tees off this Friday, the conversation around rankings and qualification is going to be louder than ever. More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Stuns Jimmy Fallon With Claret Jug at 'Tonight Show'
Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
LIV Golf players slam ‘mockery' of world rankings system
England's Lee Westwood reacts after finishing on the 18th green on the final day of the British Open. LONDON – Lee Westwood's tie for 34th at the British Open vaulted him 3,759 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking. Now at No. 930, he is back ahead of his son, Sam, a mini-tour player who currently sits 2,759th. That served as Exhibit 1 for the Englishman's rant against the world rankings system. 'I think that just proves that without world ranking points it makes a bit of a mockery of the system,' Westwood said on Wednesday ahead of this week's LIV Golf UK event. The comments came after the league re-applied for submission to the OWGR last month. That submission currently is under review. LIV originally applied for accreditation in July of 2022, shortly after the league launched, but was denied. LIV golfers currently can only earn ranking points by competing in Majors and international tour events. With limited ability to amass points via the DP World Tour and other tours, LIV players like Westwood have continued to plummet down the OWGR. Dustin Johnson, who spent 135 weeks at No. 1, dropped as low as 907th before a T23 last week vaulted him back up to 571st. The current Top 50 includes only two LIV players – No. 16 Bryson DeChambeau and No. 21 Tyrrell Hatton. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Asia Live: Thai-Cambodia border clash Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Astronomer executives' Coldplay scandal: Why it went viral and the obsession with public shaming World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports Westwood applauds LIV's recent second submission and believes that without earning OWGR, the four Majors will have to alter their processes to include more LIV players in the future. 'I think it relates back to wanting the best players in the Major championships, not wanting this conversation where there's a few people missing out because we don't get world ranking points on LIV,' he said. 'We either start to get world ranking points on LIV or the Major championships have to revise their qualification system... and you want it all to be based off the same system.' That he was able to jump more than 3,000 spots based off a tie for 34th at one event speaks to the core issues Westwood has with the system. Jon Rahm's issues with the OWGR pre-date joining LIV in December 2023, and supports a system that focuses more on key playing metrics. 'I already thought it was flawed before I ever came, and I was vocal about it,' he said. 'So I think the last few years, even the world ranking itself and both Data Golf do a strokes gained ranking, and I think that much more reflects who truly is playing the best because the actual points being a two- year ranking, you can have a poor week or a poor three weeks, and that will hold you down for two whole years. 'It's crazy how you can actually finesse a little bit of the system by playing certain weeks and not playing certain weeks and things like that. It's always going to be somewhat accurate but not the most, and I think strokes gained usually is going to be the better representation of how truly everybody is playing.' For now, LIV players will continue to tumble down the OWGR. Sure, they can accumulate some points on other tours outside of LIV events, but the next Major isn't until the Masters next April. And unless they are included in the OWGR, it will become increasingly difficult for LIV players to qualify for the four biggest tournaments each year. LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said earlier this month that he's hopefully the approval process can progress ahead of the 2026 Major season. 'I think there's a lot of guys out here that you certainly want to be playing in Majors. If there's a better pathway for that for us, then that's brilliant,' Hatton said. 'There's a lot of guys out here, their current world ranking doesn't really reflect the type of golfer that they are, and I think everyone would like to think everyone sitting here would agree with that statement. 'I guess the sooner the world rankings can become a little bit more realistic again, the better it is for golf.' REUTERS
Fox News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Lee Westwood blasts Official World Golf Ranking after jumping 3,759 spots with Open Championship finish
Lee Westwood is certainly happy to crack the top 40 at The Open Championship this past weekend, but he took that moment to blast the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Westwood, the veteran golfer who plays on the LIV Golf tour, now sits No. 930 on the OWGR list after being tied 34th at Royal Portrush shot him up 3,759 spots. Westwood can now say that he is finally back ahead of his son, Sam, who sits 2,759th on the list as he plays on a mini-tour. But that right there is exactly why Westwood has qualms with the OWGR's way of ranking golfers. "I think that just proves that without world ranking points it makes a bit of a mockery of the system," Westwood said on Wednesday at LIV Golf's UK event, per ESPN. Westwood is among many LIV Golf stars who believe their events should be included within the OWGR. However, the league's latest application is currently under review. They had initially tried to get accreditation when the league began in 2022, but it was denied. As a result, LIV golfers cannot earn themselves OWGR points unless they play in major championships or international tour events. Take Dustin Johnson, for example. He is only 571st on the list, but that's due to finishing tied 23rd at The Open. Johnson was once the world's number one golfer for 135 weeks, but since joining LIV, he has plummeted in standings. Only Bryson DeChambeau (16th) and Tyrrell Hatton (21st) are in the top 50 in the OWGR rankings. Other LIV Golf stars like Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed don't crack that upper echelon despite their solid play. "I think mainly it relates back to wanting the best players in the major championships, not wanting this conversation where there's a few people missing out because we don't get world ranking points on LIV," Westwood said as he loved seeing LIV Golf submit another application. Hatton has been vocal about his fellow LIV Golf players getting credited for their work in the league, especially when it comes to qualifying for major tournaments. "I think there's a lot of guys out here that you certainly want to be playing in majors. If there's a better pathway for that for us, then that's brilliant," Hatton said.
Reuters
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
LIV Golf players slam 'mockery' of world rankings system
July 23 - Lee Westwood's tie for 34th at The Open Championship vaulted him 3,759 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking. Now at No. 930, Westwood is now back ahead of his son, Sam, a mini-tour player who currently sits 2,759th. That served as Exhibit 1 for the Englishman's rant against the world rankings system. "I think that just proves that without world ranking points it makes a bit of a mockery of the system," Westwood said on Wednesday ahead of this week's LIV Golf UK event. The comments came after the league re-applied for submission to the OWGR last month. That submission currently is under review. LIV originally applied for accreditation in July of 2022, shortly after the league launched, but was denied. LIV golfers currently can only earn ranking points by competing in major championships and international tour events. With limited ability to amass points via the DP World Tour and other tours, LIV players like Westwood have continued to plummet down the OWGR. Dustin Johnson, who spent 135 weeks at No. 1, dropped as low as 907th before a T23 last week vaulted him back up to 571st. The current Top 50 includes only two LIV players: No. 16 Bryson DeChambeau and No. 21 Tyrrell Hatton of England. Westwood applauds LIV's recent second submission and believes that without earning OWGR, the four major championships will have to alter their processes to include more LIV players in the future. "I think mainly it relates back to wanting the best players in the major championships, not wanting this conversation where there's a few people missing out because we don't get world ranking points on LIV," he said. "We either start to get world ranking points on LIV or the major championships have to revise their qualification system, which they seem -- some of them seem to want to do but some seem reluctant to do, and they'd have to have a separate qualification system for LIV players, which I don't think anybody particularly wants. You want it all to be based off the same system." That he was able to jump more than 3,000 spots based off a tie for 34th at one event speaks to the core issues Westwood has with the system. Jon Rahm's issues with the OWGR pre-date joining LIV in December 2023, and supports a system that focuses more on key playing metrics. "I already thought it was flawed before I ever came, and I was vocal about it," he said. "So I think the last few years, even the world ranking itself and both Data Golf do a strokes gained ranking, and I think that much more reflects who truly is playing the best because the actual points being a two-year ranking, you can have a poor week or a poor three weeks, and that will hold you down for two whole years. "It's crazy how you can actually finesse a little bit of the system by playing certain weeks and not playing certain weeks and things like that. It's always going to be somewhat accurate but not the most, and I think strokes gained usually is going to be the better representation of how truly everybody is playing." For now, LIV players will continue to tumble down the OWGR. Sure, they can accumulate some points on other tours outside of LIV events, but the next major isn't until the Masters next April. And unless they are included in the OWGR, it will become increasingly difficult for LIV players to qualify for the four biggest tournaments each year. LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said earlier this month that he's hopefully the approval process can progress ahead of the 2026 major season. "I think there's a lot of guys out here that you certainly want to be playing in majors. If there's a better pathway for that for us, then that's brilliant," Hatton said. "There's a lot of guys out here, their current world ranking doesn't really reflect the type of golfer that they are, and I think everyone would like to think everyone sitting here would agree with that statement. "I guess the sooner the world rankings can become a little bit more realistic again, the better it is for golf." --Field Level Media
