While the Official World Golf Ranking battles a sceptical world on its perceived PGA Tour bias and its perceived LIV Golf antipathy, the body Friday announced the launch of the International Federation of PGA Tours Ranking List.

The International Federation Ranking List is a tool for tournament organisers around the world to use in identifying competitive and upcoming international players competing on the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Sunshine Tour. Development of the list was first revealed in August 2021 alongside the announcement of the recently changed system.

The International Federation Ranking List is comprised of 10 players from each tour’s order of merit, ranked according to their OWGR. The number-one ranked player from each of the previous season-ending lists will occupy the top four positions of the International Federation Ranking List to provide emphasis on each player’s accomplishment. The remaining 36 positions will contribute further players according to their position in the relevant order of merit and the world rankings.

It’s a boost for some South Africans looking to expand their careers on international tours and don’t already have spots on circuits like the DP World Tour. So players like Jaco Prinsloo, Albert Venter, Dylan Mostert and Jayden Schaper – as well as Clement Sordet of France – who feature on the first list of the year released today, will have something to point to as they try to get places in European and US tournaments.

The list (see it here) has some obvious oddities – world number three Cameron Smith of Australia is ranked below Jediah Morgan, and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence is listed below Sunshine Tour Luno Order of Merit winner from last season, Shaun Norris.

Like much else about the ranking system, it needs work – but it’s a start for some players.

“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.