But the Numbers Don’t Lie

Michael Kim, fresh off an impressive showing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he finished just three strokes behind Russell Henley, has found himself in an unexpected position—ranked higher than Jon Rahm in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). And he didn’t waste any time having some fun with it.

Kim’s performance boosted his world ranking to 52nd, and upon discovering this, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his excitement in the most Michael Kim way possible.

“I’m currently a better golfer than Jon Rahm in the OFFICIAL world golf rankings,” he posted, fully embracing the absurdity of the situation.

For those who somehow missed the joke, he followed up with, “Can’t wait for the LIV bots 😂. It’s obviously tongue in cheek everyone.”

Jon Rahm’s Ranking Woes Continue

While Kim was celebrating, Rahm was dealing with the harsh reality—his world ranking had indeed fallen outside the top 50. And for the former world No. 1, that’s no laughing matter.

Rahm’s slip in the rankings has reignited debates about his decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2024, a move that made him ineligible to earn OWGR points. Unlike Kim, who gains ranking points at every PGA Tour event, Rahm and his fellow LIV golfers have been watching their standings steadily decline.

Why LIV Golf Still Doesn’t Earn OWGR Points

LIV Golf has spent years trying to gain OWGR recognition, but its unique format—54-hole events, shotgun starts, smaller fields, and a lack of open qualification—has kept it from meeting the necessary criteria. Former LIV CEO Greg Norman ultimately admitted defeat, announcing that the tour was giving up on its bid for OWGR points.

This decision has major implications for players like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and, of course, Rahm. Without OWGR points, their paths to major championships and international team events, like the Ryder Cup, become far more difficult.

Can Rahm Still Make the Ryder Cup?

Despite his ranking drop, Rahm remains hopeful about playing for Team Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. With the qualification process still in flux, he’s banking on an exception or appeals process to get him on the team.

“My plan is to be on that team at Bethpage,” Rahm stated after the 2025 Dubai Classic. Whether the European team will accommodate his request remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—Michael Kim will be watching, probably with another joke ready to go.