Report: LIV Golf abandons effort for OWGR recognition

Field Level Media|published: Tue 5th March, 10:55 2024

Sep 24, 2023; Sugar Grove, Illinois, USA; Greg Norman watches the action on the 11th green during the final round of the LIV Golf Chicago golf tournament at Rich Harvest Farms. credits: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

LIV Golf abandoned the effort for accreditation for its memebers from the Official World Golf Ranking system, Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday.

Per the report, LIV commissioner and CEO Greg Norman informed league members by letter this week that "a resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists" and that the league had withdrawn its application to be recognized by the system.

LIV Golf submitted an application to OWGR in July 2022 after the Saudi-backed league had played two of its 54-hole, no-cut events. The board turned down LIV Golf's formal request to allow players to compete for ranking points in October 2023.

OWGR president Peter Dawson told Global Golf Post the decision was based on format concerns and limited access to players for LIV Golf events.

The OWGR points are used, in part, to determine a player's qualification for majors on the PGA Tour, as well as for some Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup teams.

Last week, Talor Gooch — who won the individual title in the LIV league last year — was critical of the lack of ranking points for LIV players after he was not granted an invitation to the Masters Tournament this spring. Because he no longer earns points as a LIV member, he has fallen below the points needed for automatic qualification and said the Masters winner's title would be diminished because the field wouldn't have the best players in the world.

Norman told players in his letter that LIV officials aggressively pursued OWGR inclusion but met stiff resistance.

"We have made significant efforts to fight for you and ensure your accomplishments are recognized within the existing ranking system. Unfortunately, OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us," Norman wrote, per Sports Illustrated.

Only four LIV players are in the OWGR top 50: No. 3 Jon Rahm, the defending Masters champion who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in December; No. 17 Tyrrell Hatton, No. 30 Brooks Koepka and No. 50 Cam Smith.

—Field Level Media

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