Golf Faces Ticking Timebomb After Controversial Ruling Unveiled
LIV Golf has recently received a controversial endorsement from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). This comes after a prolonged fight for recognition, but the approval is accompanied by significant limitations. Starting this week, points will be awarded for the first time at LIV Golf tournaments, beginning with the season-opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Key Aspects of the OWGR Ruling
The OWGR’s decision includes two main stipulations that have left many in disbelief. Only the top ten players in each tournament will receive world ranking points, leaving 47 players without recognition for their performance. Furthermore, the points awarded will be significantly less than those at full-field PGA Tour events, defined as ‘small field tournaments.’
Points Distribution Comparison
| Tournament | Projected Points for Winner |
|---|---|
| LIV Golf Tournament (Riyadh) | 23.03580 |
| Waste Management Phoenix Open | 59.26054 |
This disparity stems from different field ratings, a metric based on player performance. For instance, the 2025 US PGA Championship awarded 100 OWGR points to its winner, Scottie Scheffler.
Criticism of the Decision
The OWGR’s ruling has drawn criticism, especially when compared to other events like the Hero World Challenge. This tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, only includes 20 players but still awarded significant points, raising questions about fairness and consistency.
- Winner of the Hero World Challenge received over 30 points.
- Critics highlight the inconsistency with OWGR’s point distribution standards.
Brandel Chamblee, a noted critic of LIV Golf, pointed out that the points allocation for the Hero event is “hard to defend.”
Remaining Roadblocks for LIV Golf
Despite recent changes allowing 72-hole tournaments, LIV Golf still faces hurdles. The OWGR requires a minimum of 75 players in a tournament and a mid-tournament cut, neither of which LIV Golf currently provides. Additionally, its player selections have limitations, as some participants are self-selected, undermining the meritocratic standards upheld by the OWGR.
Potential for Players to Enter Majors
Players from LIV Golf can technically qualify for major tournaments, yet it remains challenging. The Masters and Open Championship require players to be in the top 50 for exemptions. The US Open has a top 60 requirement, while the PGA Championship typically invites the top 100 players who lack other exemptions.
Projected OWGR Rankings
A recent analysis suggested that 11 LIV players could rank in the OWGR’s top 100 if points had been awarded historically. Notable entries include:
- Jon Rahm (11)
- Bryson DeChambeau (14)
- Joaquin Niemann (16)
These projections offer some hope but show that achieving a top-50 ranking will be a formidable task.
Future Implications for LIV Golf
LIV Golf’s management has expressed dissatisfaction with the OWGR’s ruling, emphasizing the importance of a fair ranking system. An anonymous source from LIV Golf remarked on the decision as a “ludicrous cop-out.”
As the league faces ongoing instability, including player departures, the recent ruling may further complicate its future. Bryson DeChambeau is currently negotiating contract terms while highlighting player concerns regarding the number of 72-hole events.
The situation continues to evolve, leaving the future of LIV Golf uncertain as it seeks to establish its place within the competitive landscape of professional golf.
