LIV Golf has admitted defeat in its bid to receive world ranking recognition after Greg Norman informed players of the end of a process that had lasted almost two years.
LIV has been in talks with the Official World Golf Ranking since the summer of 2022, when big name players started to be coaxed to the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit from the PGA and DP World Tours. The OWGR – which has the four major championships on its board – consistently argued LIV’s format did not meet criteria to be awarded points. LIV tournaments are of 54 holes, with no cuts and involving many players who have effectively been bought by the tour rather than having qualified for it.
High-profile golfers such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith and Sergio García have, therefore, slid rapidly down the rankings, with their only ability to collect points coming through major participation.
“We have made significant efforts to fight for you and ensure your accomplishments are recognised within the existing ranking system,” Norman, LIV’s commissioner, told players in a memo. “Unfortunately, OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”
Norman added: “This is not a decision that we made lightly. After spending the last 18 months in almost constant dialogue with various members of the OWGR technical committee and board, it is now clear that the best way forward for LIV as a league and you as LIV golfers is not through the current ranking system. A resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists.”
Many within the LIV scene have consistently argued the world rankings have been rendered obsolete by the failure to recognise their tour. Norman had always been fully confident LIV would win this battle, which means the present situation will cause the Australian a degree of embarrassment. World rankings play a part in qualifying criteria for majors which is why LIV golfers had been so keen to have access to them. LIV is now likely to change approach by looking to receive major exemptions via its own order of merit.
Peter Dawson, the chairman of the OWGR board, has previously defended his position. “We are not at war with them,” said the former chief executive of the R&A. “This decision not to make them eligible is not political. It is entirely technical. LIV players are self-evidently good enough to be ranked. They’re just not playing in a format where they can be ranked equitably with the other 24 tours and thousands of players trying to compete on them.”
