Time to change world ranking

system, says Paul McGinley

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Irishman Paul McGinley has called on the powers-that-be in golf to "wake up" and change the world ranking system.
McGinley spoke after kicking off his bid for a first win in four years with a three-under-par 68 in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, an event featuring only three of the game's top 50.
"It's a problem, there's no doubt about it," said the 42-year-old Dubliner. "In these economic times all sponsors are facing the same problem of getting top players to play and in my opinion the world ranking system does not reward guys who play a lot of tournaments. At the end of the day we have to have better fields - it's very important."
He added: "I understand the big picture. All contracts are tied in with the world rankings and they determine who gets into events.
"At present the system rewards players who play only 20 tournaments a year and we should be encouraging guys to play more.
"I am not a mathematician, but we've got to find a system that does not penalise players for the amount they play.
"Everybody is reluctant to change for some reason, but we have to wake up and find a way around it."
The rankings are determined on points average over a rolling two-year period, and much was made of the fact in April that American star Davis Love missed out on The Masters because he did not get any points in the last week of qualifying, whereas if he had not played he would have made it to Augusta.