In light of the recent controversies surrounding the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), humorous quips and chirpy comments are making rounds in the golfing community. Michael Kim, a rising star on the PGA Tour, has been using this upheaval to playfully jest about his current standing, particularly in comparison to the renowned Spanish golfer, Jon Rahm.
The OWGR has been the subject of much discussion, primarily due to its decision to withhold ranking points from members of LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed tournament. This move has caused seismic shifts in the rankings, catapulting some players, like Kim, up the leaderboard, while causing a precipitous slide for others, including elite players like Rahm.
Undeniably one of the most talented golfers of the current era, Rahm has seen an unfortunate decline in his OWGR standing, dropping to a surprising 59th place. In contrast, Kim has ascended the ranks to reach the 52nd spot. This unprecedented situation prompted an amusing response from Kim, a 31-year-old golf enthusiast and Cal Berkeley graduate.
Taking to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Kim posted: “I’m currently a better golfer than Jon Rahm – OFFICIAL world golf rankings.” With a robust social media presence, Kim has distinguished himself as one of the most socially engaged golfers currently playing the field. His frequent posts across various platforms have earned him significant attention, although, lately, it’s his performance on the golf course that’s making headlines.
Despite a rocky beginning to the 2025 PGA Tour season, Kim has found his footing and is now hitting his stride. He has secured three top-10 finishes in his last five starts, including a tied second at the WM Phoenix Open, and a solo fourth at the recent Arnold Palmer Invitational. He’s also made notable appearances at the Genesis Invitational and the Cognizant Classic.
This uptick in Kim’s performance has coincided with Rahm’s continuous slide down the OWGR, a downward trend that seems unaffected by his impressive performance on LIV Golf. Despite winning the individual season-long championship during his first season at LIV, and starting off the 2025 season on a positive note, Rahm’s ranking has suffered.
Rahm’s impressive performance includes a tied second place finish at the season-opener in Riyadh, and sixth place finishes in both Adelaide and Hong Kong, where fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia clinched the individual title.
However, Kim’s humorous assertion of being a better golfer than Rahm is more of a playful banter rather than a statement of fact. As the OWGR continues to overlook LIV Golf events, a widening gap is expected between players like Kim and Rahm.
Regardless of his current ranking, Rahm, as the 2024 Masters champion, has secured his place in the majors for years to come. However, these exemptions will eventually run out if he doesn’t clinch another win. Concurrently, Kim’s star is on the rise, both on the green and in the digital world of social media. The golfing community watches with bated breath as these two athletes navigate their paths in the ever-evolving world of professional golf.