LIV Golf’s Most underrated Players, According to Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm, a prominent figure on the LIV Golf circuit, recently shared his viewpoint on players he believes are undervalued in the golf world, particularly due to the league’s current lack of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) accreditation.This has led to a notable drop in rankings for many LIV golfers,obscuring their true skill level. Rahm highlighted three players during an appearance on the Subpar Podcast: dean Burmester, Joaquin Niemann, and david Puig.
The Impact of OWGR Accreditation on LIV Players
The Official World Golf Ranking is a crucial metric for player recognition, tournament invitations, and qualifying for major championships. Currently, LIV Golf is not accredited by the OWGR, meaning performances on the LIV tour don’t directly contribute to a player’s ranking. This has created a situation where talented golfers on the LIV tour are often ranked lower than their performance warrants. As Jon Rahm himself pointed out, he currently sits at 87th in the world despite being a top-tier player. Other notable examples include Dustin Johnson (636th) and Brooks Koepka (244th, before his departure from LIV).
The lack of OWGR points has a cascading effect. Players with lower rankings may struggle to qualify for major championships, further diminishing their visibility and perhaps impacting sponsorship opportunities. The debate surrounding LIV’s accreditation continues, with the league actively working to meet the OWGR’s criteria.
Rahm’s Underrated Picks: A Closer Look
Dean Burmester: The Consistent Performer
Rahm’s first pick,Dean Burmester,has quickly established himself as a consistent winner on the LIV circuit. Rahm praised Burmester’s ability to perform under pressure, particularly in challenging conditions. “He’s such a good player, especially when things get tricky. He hits the ball low. He’s really good in the wind,” Rahm stated. Burmester has secured victories at LIV Miami in 2024 and LIV Chicago in 2025, demonstrating his ability to compete at a high level. His success highlights the quality of play within LIV Golf that often goes unnoticed by the broader golf community due to the ranking situation.
Joaquin Niemann: A Star Waiting to Shine on the Major Stage
Joaquin Niemann was Rahm’s second selection,and his inclusion is particularly insightful. Niemann has been a dominant force on LIV, racking up an extraordinary five wins in 26 starts as of 2025. though, Rahm believes Niemann’s lack of consistent success in major championships has led to an underestimation of his overall talent.
“I still think because I’ve seen him play and he hasn’t played his best in majors, I still think joaquin [Niemann] is underrated,” Rahm explained. “He hasn’t played his best [in majors], but what I’ve seen the last two years out of him, he’s amazing.” While Niemann achieved a notable top-15 finish at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, he has yet to consistently contend on the weekend at major championships, hindering his recognition on a global scale.
david Puig: The Rising Star
Rounding out Rahm’s list is David Puig, one of the younger and less-known players on LIV Golf. Rahm believes Puig’s potential is considerably higher than his current ranking suggests. he attributes this discrepancy to Puig’s participation in events outside of LIV that don’t carry the same weight in the OWGR system.
“I’m going to put somebody we don’t know,I’m going to put David Puig in there,” Rahm said. “I think he’s one of those where if World Rankings counted, he’s been able to put himself closer inside the top 100 by playing around the planet in events that maybe don’t count as much as the ones on LIV could. I think he is somebody that is a lot better than obviously rankings were reflecting and people don’t know yet.” Puig represents the next generation of golf talent, and Rahm’s endorsement suggests he’s a player to watch as LIV continues to evolve.
Looking Ahead: The Future of LIV and the OWGR
The situation surrounding LIV Golf and the OWGR remains fluid. As LIV continues to seek accreditation, the performances of its players will undoubtedly come under greater scrutiny. Rahm’s insights provide a valuable perspective on the talent within the league and highlight the need for a fair and accurate ranking system that reflects the competitive landscape of professional golf. The eventual resolution of this issue will be crucial for the future of LIV golf and its players’ ability to compete on the world stage.
