World rankings frozen until further notice

Following multiple rumours last week, the Governing Boards of the OWGR and WWGR have now confirmed that the world rankings will be frozen indefinitely.

Both the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and Rolex Women’s World Golf Ranking (WWGR) will remain as they were at Week 11 (March 15th) until further notice.

Rory McIlroy (Credit: PGA Tour)

“In light of the ongoing health crisis related to the Coronavirus Pandemic and necessary cancellation of golf tournaments worldwide, the International Golf Federation fully understands and supports the immediate freezing of the men’s and women’s official world golf rankings in order to protect their integrity.”

“This decision effectively freezes the ranking system for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games until such time as the world ranking systems recommence, given that the Olympic Golf Ranking System for men and women is based upon them.”

“The qualification system for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games commenced on 1 July 2018 and will conclude on 22 June 2020 for the men and from 8 July 2018 through to 29 June 2020 for the women, with players accumulating World Ranking Points over a two-year “rolling” period. “

McIlroy returned to World No. 1 in late January after finishing 3rd at the Farmers Insurance Open and has now accumulated 101 weeks in the top spot.

The 30-year-old moved to third overall in terms of weeks as the game’s best after bypassing Sir Nick Faldo’s 97 week mark last month.

McIlroy, however, remains a long way from matching Greg Norman in second place with a total of 331 weeks or Tiger Woods at 683 weeks as the game’s best.