Trevor Immelman is set to take over as the chair of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), succeeding Peter Dawson, who has held the position since 2016. Immelman, a 45-year-old, is an accomplished golfer with an impressive record of 11 wins worldwide, including two PGA Tour victories. Notably, he reached No. 12 in the world rankings in 2006, and his most significant triumph came at the 2008 Masters, where he finished three strokes ahead of Tiger Woods. Immelman will officially assume his new role on April 10.
Immelman's appointment as chair marks a significant milestone in his career. He has always regarded the OWGR as fundamental to his professional journey. Reflecting on this, he stated:
"The Official World Golf Ranking has always been a huge part of my life and professional career." – Trevor Immelman
As a professional golfer, Immelman recognized the importance of maintaining a strong position in the rankings. His focus intensified upon turning professional, understanding that being in the top 50 allowed participation in major tournaments globally.
"Then, as I turned professional, my focus on the rankings intensified, as I knew being in the top 50 allowed me to play in the biggest tournaments around the world." – Trevor Immelman
Under Dawson's leadership, the OWGR expanded its recognition from 16 to 24 tours and modernized its ranking mechanisms in August 2022. The modernization efforts included changes to points distribution for tournaments with low-field ratings, offering 50% more points to winners and 26% more to top-five finishers. Additionally, starting this year, the PGA Tour of Taiwan will be recognized by OWGR.
Peter Dawson expressed confidence in the OWGR's evolution and its commitment to its mission.
"OWGR provides an important framework and is continuing to evolve and improve while remaining true to its mission." – Peter Dawson
In addition to his new role at OWGR, Immelman has been actively involved in golf's competitive scene. He served as the captain of the International team at the 2022 Presidents Cup and currently holds a position as the lead golf analyst at CBS Sports.
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