Newly-created International Federation Ranking List set to reward high-performing international players

The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) has announced the introduction of the International Federation of PGA Tours Ranking List, or shortly referred to as International Federation Ranking List, with the inaugural list of Week 1 in 2023 being published on January 8.

The Governing Board of the OWGR in a statement said the newly-created list was meant to help tournament organisers recognise competitive and upcoming international players competing on the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Sunshine Tour.

The International Federation Ranking List comprises of 10 players from each Tour’s Order of Merit, ranked according to their OWGR.

For a start, the number one ranked player from each of the previous season-ending Order of Merits will occupy the top four positions of the International Federation Ranking List to provide emphasis on each player’s accomplishment.

The remaining 36 positions shall contribute further players according to their position in the relevant Order of Merit and OWGR.

Reigning JGTO money list winner Kazuki Higa had the honour of being placed atop the 40-man standings by virtue of being the highest-ranked player among the four Tour's Order of Merit winners at number 67.

Sunshine Tour's Shaun Norris (124), Asian Tour's Sihwan Kim (193) and Jediah Morgan of the PGA Tour of Australasia are second, third and fourth respectively.

A player who plies his trade on multiple Tours may only appear once on the International Federation Ranking List, with the highest position being taken into account.

For instance, Norris was included in the International Federation Ranking List as the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner, although he also played on Japan Golf Tour, where he was ranked 88th last season.

The other JGTO members who made it to the inaugural top-40 chart include Rikuya Hoshino, Yuto Katsuragawa, Mikumu Horikawa, Tomoharu Otsuki, American Chan Kim, Hiroshi Iwata, Aguri Iwasaki, Riki Kawamoto and Ryo Ishikawa.

Another notable JGTO member Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe also made the cut but by virtue of being the third-place finisher on the Asian Tour. 

"OWGR is delighted by the creation of the International Federation Ranking List offered as a tool for events to identify and reward with playing opportunities those high-performing players who regularly compete on these Tours," said Chairman Peter Dawson.

"OWGR looks forward to the list facilitating the further enhancement of the global player pathways being created by its member organisations and Tours."

OWGR will administer and publish the list each week.