LIV Golf Secures OWGR Points, But Not Without Criticism

LIV Golf has reached a significant milestone by securing points in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). However, the Saudi-backed league expressed disappointment that points will only be awarded to the top ten players in each event.

As LIV Golf prepares to kick off its fifth season, the organization acknowledged this momentous occasion in a statement on Tuesday, but it also took issue with the prevailing perception of the league by the OWGR.

“We acknowledge this long-awaited recognition, underscoring the core principle that on-course performance should count, irrespective of the venue,” LIV remarked.

Interestingly, the league pointed out an issue with the ranking system. It argued that under the new rules, a player finishing 11th would receive the same treatment as someone coming in 57th. This, they contend, unfairly penalizes successful players who just miss the top 10, along with rising talents aiming to make their mark on the global stage—the very players the ranking system intends to assess fairly.

In essence, LIV Golf’s points allocation falls under the “Small Field Tournament” category, akin to a non-cut PGA Tour event or the Tour Championship. World rankings carry weight as they influence the fields for the sport’s four major tournaments. However, the U.S. Open, British Open, Masters, and PGA Championship have made efforts to include deserving players among their ranks.

When LIV Golf first launched, there was talk of ranking points being available soon. However, attempts to accelerate their approval were rebuffed, culminating in a formal denial of ranking points back in October 2023.

LIV has since made several modifications to address fairness concerns about comparing its players with those from other leagues. This season, for example, tournaments will consist of 72 holes with 57 players participating.

Yet, the league deems the OWGR’s restrictions unfair.

“No other competitive tour or league in OWGR history has faced such limitations,” LIV Golf remarked. They hope this marks an initial step toward a more equitable and comprehensive ranking system that caters to players, supporters, and the sport’s future. Transparency is crucial; fans should be able to trust the system, and players deserve equality in treatment.

This decision follows the departure of notable players, such as Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, who have returned to the PGA Tour. Nevertheless, figures like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm remain a part of the LIV lineup.

OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman described this decision as a “highly intricate and challenging process,” noting the substantial time and effort invested in reaching it. “While we recognize the necessity of ranking the top male golfers worldwide, we also needed a method that is fair to the thousands of players on other tours operating within established meritocratic frameworks,” he explained. “We believe we have found a solution that meets both these needs while allowing top performers at LIV events to earn OWGR points.”