LIV Golf’s bid for world ranking points was rejected by the OWGR Board of Directors

LIV Golf is only playing for the money, not for world ranking points, after the Official World Golf Rankings Board decided it could not fairly measure the 48-player league against the other 24 tours around the world.

The OWGR rejected the application from Saudi-backed LIV Golf, which was first submitted in July 2022 after the league had already played two of the 54-hole unbundled events.

“We are not at war with them,” Peter Dawson, chairman of the OWGR board, said when contacted by The Associated Press. “This decision not to make them eligible is not a political decision. It is purely a technical decision. Obviously the LIV players are good enough to be ranked. They are not playing in a way where they can be ranked equally with the other 24 rounds and thousands of players trying to compete for it.”

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, European Tour CEO Keith Pelley and Keith Waters of the PGA Tour International had previously recused themselves from LIV Golf’s decision to avoid any conflicts of interest.

The committee that rejected LIV’s request consisted of leaders from Augusta National, the PGA of America, the US Golf Association and the R&A, which runs the four major championships. Major companies use OWGR as part of their qualification criteria.

LIV Golf, which has two events remaining in its second season, has 48 players competing over 54 no-cut holes and a $20 million purse, with an additional $5 million awarded in simultaneous team competition.

Dawson, a non-voting member of the committee, said the OWGR can overcome some requirements, such as a 36-hole cut and an average field size of 75 players over the course of a season.

But the committee was unable to go beyond what could be considered a closed shop.

The LIV Golf League has the same 48 players for the entire season (with substitutes in case of injury) and not enough turnover. Although the top 24 players are guaranteed a spot in the following season, LIV Golf has signed several players to lucrative contracts that guarantee them a spot on the roster regardless of their performance.

Those currently outside the top 24 include Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter.

Three players will be added for the 2024 season through a promotional tournament, with a fourth player – Andy Ogletree – progressing through the International Series on the Asian Tour. LIV Golf could choose to add others via recruitment, such as signing Mito Pereira and Thomas Pieters before the 2023 season.

Most tours around the world typically have a turnover rate of 20% to 25%.

LIV Golf debuted in June 2022, and the lack of global ranking points has taken its toll. Players who joined a competing league were suspended by the PGA Tour and European Tour, and their only access to the points was the major championships.

When LIV Golf completed its inaugural season, it had 12 players in the top 50 in the world (led by Cameron Smith) and 24 in the top 100. In this week’s rankings, Smith (No. 15) and Brooks Koepka (No. 18) are the only players in the top 50, and LIV has just six players in the top 100.

Among those no longer in the top 100 are Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Talor Gooch, who has three wins at LIV Golf this year. LIV players mocked OWGR for its lack of credibility without offering them ranking points.

“Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, of course they should be in the rankings,” Dawson said. “We need to find a way to get it done. I hope LIV can find a solution – not so much its shape; it can be dealt with through a mathematical equation – but qualification and relegation.”

The OWGR committee also raised concerns about the team aspect of the LIV, particularly the moment when Sebastian Muñoz participated in a LIV golf event in Florida a week before the Masters.

Koepka had a one-shot lead on the final hole, and he and Muñoz were about 40 feet away from birdie. Koepka went first and left the putt just over 4 feet away. Muñoz needed to make a birdie to force a playoff. However, his Torque team had a one-shot lead. Muñoz missed his putt to just 4 feet and tied.

“I knew we were one stroke ahead on the team, so I couldn’t get going. I knew I couldn’t be too aggressive,” Muñoz said when it was over.

LIV Golf can apply again to be part of the OWGR system, although the board has made clear that turnover, objective access to LIV Golf and the exclusion of under-performing players remain key points in gaining ranking points.

There is also the matter of the PGA Tour, European Tour and LIV Golf’s Saudi backers (the Public Investment Fund) working on a business partnership announced in June. One judgment is to evaluate the future of the golf team.