LIV Golf has criticised the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) after the Saudi-backed circuit was granted world ranking points for the first time, arguing that the conditions attached to the decision are unfair and unprecedented.
While the move ends a long-standing exclusion, LIV believes the restrictions significantly undermine player progression in the rankings.
Only top 10 LIV finishers to receive OWGR points
Under the ruling announced on Tuesday, only the top 10 finishers at LIV Golf events will be awarded OWGR points. LIV tournaments feature 57-player fields, meaning anyone finishing outside the top 10 will receive no points.
LIV said this structure is unlike any other OWGR-recognised tour, where all players who make the cut earn ranking points.
“Under these rules, a player finishing 11th is treated the same as a player finishing 57th,” LIV said in a statement, calling the outcome “unprecedented”.
LIV says restriction harms consistent performers
LIV argued that the policy disproportionately affects players who regularly finish just outside the top positions and limits their ability to climb the world rankings.
The league described the decision as a “long-overdue moment of recognition” but said it falls short of creating a fair and transparent ranking system.
OWGR explains why points are limited
The OWGR board said ranking points were awarded to LIV in recognition of changes within men’s professional golf but cited several reasons for limiting eligibility.
These included LIV’s average field size of 57 players, no-cut format, restricted qualification pathways, and concerns around player selection based on recruitment rather than merit.
OWGR also referenced recent team changes made on the basis of nationality rather than competitive performance.
LIV’s recent changes acknowledged
OWGR acknowledged that LIV is evolving, noting that all 14 LIV events in 2026 will be played over 72 holes, an increase from the previous 54-hole format.
Further structural changes planned for the 2027 season will continue to be reviewed.
OWGR chairman calls review process “complex”
OWGR chairman and former Masters champion Trevor Immelman described the evaluation process as “complex and challenging”, stating that the board aimed to balance fairness for LIV players with equity across established tours.
How LIV points compare with PGA and DP World Tour events
The winner of this week’s LIV Golf season opener in Riyadh is projected to earn 23.03 OWGR points, similar to a DP World Tour event.
By comparison:
- WM Phoenix Open (PGA Tour): ~59 points
- PGA Tour Signature Events: ~66 points
- FedEx Cup Playoff events: ~37 points
Why OWGR points matter for LIV players
World ranking points are critical for qualification into golf’s four major championships.
Currently, only Tyrrell Hatton (22nd) and Bryson DeChambeau (33rd) are inside the world’s top 50 among LIV players. Jon Rahm sits at 97th, with several others inside the top 100.
In recent weeks, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have left LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour.
