LIV Golf to receive Official World Golf Ranking points in 2026

LIV Golf players will begin earning Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points in the 2026 season, but the pathway to recognition is significantly restricted compared to other professional tours. The decision follows a lengthy review process and a previous withdrawal of LIV’s application in 2024, with a resubmission ahead of the 2025 season.

Limited Ranking Opportunities

Unlike the other 24 men’s professional golf tours recognized by the OWGR, where all players who make the cut receive ranking points, LIV Golf will only award points to the top 10 finishers in each event. This limited distribution is a key point of contention, as it impacts a player’s ability to qualify for major championships.

Point Disparity

The points awarded for a LIV Golf victory are projected to be 23.03, comparable to PGA Tour opposite-field events and DP World Tour events (25 points). However, Here’s less than FedEx Cup Fall events (37 points) and significantly less than half the points awarded for PGA Tour Signature events (66 points). For comparison, the winner of the WM Phoenix Open is expected to receive 59 points.

Did You Know? LIV Golf initially applied for OWGR points before the 2022 British Open, but the application was rejected in October 2023.

OWGR Concerns and Justification

The OWGR cited several deficiencies in LIV Golf’s structure as reasons for the modified point structure. These include LIV’s smaller field sizes (57 players versus the OWGR minimum of 75), exclusively no-cut events, and limited pathways for new players to join the tour. The OWGR also pointed to concerns about self-selection of players and instances of team composition based on nationality rather than merit.

According to Trevor Immelman, chairman of OWGR, the decision balances the need to rank top players globally with maintaining fairness to other tours that operate with established meritocratic systems. He acknowledged the “substantial and constructive efforts” made by Scott O’Neil and the LIV Golf team.

Player Turnover and Relegation

The OWGR highlighted a lack of robust relegation and promotion systems within LIV Golf. While LIV has increased the number of spots available through its Promotions Event and the International Series from four to five, this represents only 8.8% of the field, compared to 22% on the PGA Tour and even higher percentages on other tours. The OWGR determined that LIV continues to prioritize guaranteed playing opportunities through contracts.

Expert Insight: The OWGR’s decision reflects a fundamental tension between recognizing a new golf league and upholding the established principles of meritocracy and open access within the sport. The limited point allocation and concerns about player movement suggest the OWGR is attempting to integrate LIV Golf without fundamentally altering the existing ranking system.

Recent instances of players being dismissed by their teams despite strong performance, such as Jinichiro Kozuma, Matt Jones, Kevin Na, and Max Lee, further underscored concerns about equitable treatment within LIV Golf. Conversely, Luis Masaveu was retained despite finishing below the “drop zone,” highlighting inconsistencies in team decisions.

What’s Next?

The implementation of this new system could lead LIV Golf players to focus heavily on top-10 finishes to accumulate OWGR points. Players will need consistent high performances to maintain or improve their rankings and qualify for major championships. The PGA Tour issued a statement respecting the OWGR’s decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference in how LIV Golf players will earn OWGR points compared to other tours?

Only the top 10 finishers in each LIV Golf event will receive OWGR points, whereas most other tours award points to all players who make the cut.

What concerns did the OWGR have regarding LIV Golf’s structure?

The OWGR cited concerns about LIV Golf’s limited field size, lack of cuts, restrictive pathways for new players, and instances of team decisions based on nationality rather than merit.

Did LIV Golf initially attempt to gain OWGR points before this decision?

Yes, LIV Golf initially applied for OWGR points before the 2022 British Open but was rejected in October 2023 and subsequently withdrew its application before resubmitting it ahead of the 2025 season.

Will this new system be enough for LIV Golf players to effectively compete for qualification in major championships?