LIV Golf continues to push for legitimacy in the global golf landscape as its CEO, Scott O’Neil, publicly addressed ongoing discussions with the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) board. The breakaway league, which has been excluded from OWGR point allocation since its inception, is actively working to meet the criteria required for its players to earn world ranking points.
The Problem at Hand
Since launching in 2022, LIV Golf has faced mounting criticism for its lack of alignment with traditional golf structures. One of the biggest setbacks for the league has been the inability of its players to earn OWGR points—points that are essential for qualification into major championships and maintaining global recognition.
Players like Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Bryson DeChambeau have seen their world rankings plummet despite maintaining strong performances. With no OWGR points on offer in LIV events, players are increasingly shut out from the majors unless they receive special exemptions or already hold past champion status.
What LIV Golf Is Doing About It
According to O’Neil, LIV Golf submitted a revised application to OWGR in late June that includes significant changes to the league’s structure. The proposed changes aim to address the key reasons why the OWGR board previously denied the league’s request.
Among the reported updates are:
- An introduction of a relegation system to ensure competitive merit-based access.
- New feeder tours or qualification pathways to make entry into LIV more open.
- A reconsideration of field sizes and event formats to better reflect the traditional standards that OWGR recognises.
“We are optimistic,” said O’Neil in a recent interview. “We’ve listened carefully to the concerns raised and made real adjustments. Our goal is simple: ensure the best golfers in the world are ranked accordingly, regardless of what tour they play on.”
The Bigger Picture
OWGR points remain one of the final hurdles for LIV Golf as it seeks full integration into the wider professional golf ecosystem. Despite the ongoing divide between LIV and the PGA Tour, discussions continue behind closed doors about a potential unification or cooperation framework for the future.
Still, the lack of ranking points poses a major issue for player motivation and future recruitment. Without access to majors and prestige events, LIV risks alienating both fans and talent. O’Neil’s comments mark a step toward bridging that gap and aligning LIV more closely with global golf standards.
What Comes Next
The OWGR board has not issued a timeline for their response to LIV’s latest application, but insiders suggest a decision could come before the end of 2025. With LIV expanding globally and building a strong base of elite talent, pressure is mounting on ranking officials to consider whether the current system accurately reflects the state of the professional game.
Whether the league will succeed in gaining OWGR recognition remains uncertain, but the message from its leadership is clear: they’re not backing down.
