New York, May 22: Women golfers will have their own world ranking next year, giving fans something to debate and the tours a way to choose teams if the sport is included in the Olympics.
LPGA Tour commissioner Ty Votaw said Thursday the five women's tours around the world -- including Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia -- have agreed to develop a ranking system similar to the men players.
The late Mark McCormack, who founded IMG, developed the men's ranking in 1968. It now is used to determine who qualifies for the four major championships.
"We believe that a comprehensive world rankings system that is universally agreed upon by the leading professional golf tours is a natural evolution in the advancement of women's golf," Votaw said.
The formula has not been decided, although Votaw said it probably would measure a player's performance over two years, with points determined by strength of field and emphasis on the most recent 13-week period.



Votaw also said if golf were to become an Olympic sport -- which could be as early as 2008 in Beijing -- the women's world ranking could be the best method to select teams.


Bureau Report