Latest news with #PeterDawson
Khaleej Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
LIV Golf's push for world ranking points recognition nears pivotal point at The Open
At this week's Open Championship, it is understood that a meeting of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) Board will take place under the chairmanship of Trevor Immelman. The Board includes representatives from Augusta National, the European Tour Group, international federations of PGA Tours, the PGA of America, the PGA Tour, The R&A, and the USGA. Among other matters, it is believed—and widely reported—that LIV Golf has applied for consideration for inclusion in the OWGR. In March 2024, LIV Golf withdrew its previous application in what appeared to be a strategic standoff. However, time can be a healer, and common sense now seems to be gaining ground. Top Talent Goes Unranked It is widely accepted that many LIV golfers are not properly represented in the current OWGR. For instance, players such as Bryson DeChambeau (15), Tyrrell Hatton (23), Patrick Reed (61), Jon Rahm (72), and Joaquin Niemann (90) are the only LIV players currently ranked in the OWGR top 100. Recognition by the OWGR is vital for LIV players. It determines eligibility for Major Championships, the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, and other key events in the global golf calendar. For LIV Golf, OWGR inclusion is also crucial in attracting ambitious young talent and maintaining relevance on the world stage, beyond its internal ecosystem. Peter Dawson, former OWGR chairman, previously explained why LIV's initial application did not progress: 'It is entirely technical. LIV players are self-evidently good enough to be ranked. They're just not playing in a format where they can be ranked equitably with the other 24 tours and thousands of players trying to compete on them.' Now, with many new figures in senior positions across the global golf landscape, the opportunity for constructive dialogue has never been stronger. Game Demands a Solution A solution must be found - for the good of the game, its players, fans, tournaments, and the wider golf ecosystem. One major concern remains LIV Golf's format. All 52 players compete in each of its 14 events, with a 54-hole, shotgun-start, no-cut structure. While fresh and innovative, this format conflicts with existing OWGR criteria. The individual-versus-team dynamic presents another challenge. LIV Golf heavily promotes its team element as a unique selling point, yet OWGR is built around individual competition across global tours. There's no doubt LIV Golf has shifted the golf landscape in significant ways, many of them positive, attracting new audiences and reshaping the professional scene. There's also an urgent need for relevant and fair ranking systems for men's and women's golf, both professional and amateur. Ever since their introduction in 1986, OWGR rankings have sparked ongoing debate over accuracy and credibility. But until now, their foundation has rarely been seriously challenged. Now, LIV Golf is testing that foundation, with some of the world's top players involved. Is there a path forward? The governing bodies face a major challenge—or perhaps, an opportunity. Flexibility and creativity are needed on both sides, more than either has shown before, without compromising core principles. This debate isn't going away. Golf fans and players alike will be watching closely to see what comes next.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LIV Golf applies again for Official World Golf Ranking points
NORTH BERWICK, Scotland – LIV Golf has reapplied for its events to receive Official World Golf Ranking points, the chairman of the ranking's board, Trevor Immelman, announced Friday in a statement. 'The OWGR board is committed to a thorough evaluation process of all applications, and LIV's application will be reviewed in accordance with OWGR's criteria to ensure fairness, integrity and consistency,' Immelman said in a statement. 'We appreciate the interest of LIV Golf — and all tours — in contributing to the global landscape of men's professional golf through OWGR. Further updates will be provided as the review progresses.' Advertisement LIV Golf first applied for ranking points in July 2022 and that bid was denied in October 2023 for a variety of reasons, including the lack of a cut in LIV events and limited field sizes. 'This decision not to make them eligible is not political. It is entirely technical. LIV players are self-evidently good enough to be ranked. They're just not playing in a format where they can be ranked equitably with the other 24 tours and thousands of players trying to compete on them,' then-OWGR board chairman Peter Dawson told the Associated Press. The bigger concern, however, was the lack of turnover within the circuit's ranks. LIV Golf does have a form of relegation and promotion but it's limited compared to other tours with just one spot available through a promotions event each fall and another spot via The International Series on the Asian Tour. It remains to be seen if the OWGR's stance on LIV being a closed shop has changed since the original denial or if the circuit is poised to create larger pathways for players to qualify. LIV Golf has a 'drop zone' each season that includes the bottom portion of each year's points list but players with guaranteed contracts are largely immune to relegation and there has been little turnover from season to season. Advertisement The need for world ranking points has grown since LIV Golf launched in the summer of 2022 when it had a dozen players ranked inside the top 50 in the world. Now the circuit has just two players, No. 15 Bryson DeChambeau and No. 22 Tyrrell Hatton, inside the top 50 and many of its original stars — like Brooks Koepka at 276th — have plummeted in the ranking. The world ranking is one of the main pathways for players to qualify for major championships and LIV Golf's lack of world ranking points have prompted some of the majors, like the PGA of America and USGA, to carve out exemptions into the biggest events for the breakaway circuit's top players. According to the OWGR, LIV Golf submitted its most recent application for points on June 30 and if the original process is a benchmark, this review could last more than a year. A request for comment from LIV Golf was not immediately returned.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cambridge fellowship will 'accelerate' mental health research
A professorship which could "accelerate" the understanding of young people's mental health will be set up at the University of Cambridge after a gift from long-standing post will "provide a unique and transformational addition to mental health at Cambridge and beyond" by advancing science and offering evidence-based support to young people, the university was made possible by £4.5m from US-based philanthropists Christina and Peter Dawson, who champion mental health and have supported the university for many years. "Our ambition is to promote student wellbeing as a fundamental component of a Cambridge education and to lead research on effective interventions that will improve their lives," said Vice-Chancellor Prof Deborah Prentice. "The Dawson Professorship of Young People's Mental Health represents a great leap forward towards this goal." It comes a little over two years after the university said it was undertaking "significant reform" to its mental health services after a spate of student the time, the BBC uncovered a report which described the mental health service as "ineffective".The postholder - who will hold a fellowship at St Catharine's College - will spearhead research on interventions, neuroscience, and evidence synthesis to provide new insight and pioneering discoveries in mental health treatment and prevention, the university said."We are thrilled that the university is dedicated to being a centre of excellence in mental health research for young people, and that this Professorship will be transformational to this vital area of research," said Mrs Dawson."Cambridge's revolutionary approach will reveal insights into the brain science of mental health in young people and increase the global understanding and development of new interventions."Prof of Neuroscience Jeffrey W. Dalley said the gift would be "truly transformative" in accelerating research efforts to understand the brain science of mental health in young people."To have a professorship dedicated to mental health research in young people, right here in Cambridge, is simply wonderful, said Natalie Acton, co-head of student support."We look forward to working with the post-holder and improving our offering to students as a result."Recruitment is under way with the successful candidate expected to begin in October. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
