The LIV Golf League finally received Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition last month and its players have been divided ever since. For the unversed, the rankings organization affirmed points for the breakaway tour events’ top 10 finishers. According to this, all players finishing outside the top places will get no points, which seems to have made several names including Bryson DeChambeau unhappy.
As the golf world continues to discuss the fairness of LIV’s OWGR recognition, the Saudi-backed series’ CEO Scott O’Neil has come out to fully accept it. The event chief claimed being “grateful to be welcomed into the golf family officially.” He addressed the importance of being recognized by the ranking body’s board which includes PGA Tour and the European Tour officials.
He further lauded OWGR chairman and former Masters champion Trevor Immelman for his role in the move. It is pertinent to note that the Saudi circuit made a series of changes, including replacing its trademark 54-hole format to the traditional 72, to facilitate the rankings recognition.
Speaking at LIV Golf Adelaide, Scott O’Neil said on Thursday, as quoted by ASAP Sports:
“We’re so grateful to be welcomed into the golf family officially. That’s first and foremost. It’s very nice, especially you have a board with two – the commissioner of the PGA Tour is on the board and the CEO of the European Tour is on the board. Arguably those are two that would have a bit to lose if you have a scarcity mindset, if you will, by our being recognized publicly…
They (OWGR) are led by Trevor Immelman, the chairman, a former Masters champion, South African great, their favorite son. He’s been a wonderful leader and champion in the face of quite a bit of difficulty and scrutiny, and I think he’s done an extraordinary job in pulling the board together.”
LIV Golf committed to improve on rankings position
Furthermore, O’Neil stated that the series is still in negotiation to rework the framework on the rankings recognition. The former Philadelphia 76ers CEO said the officials are committed to helping its players compete at the “world’s biggest stage.”
“For us, though, world ranking points, we’re a nice recognition and a great step forward, and our focus is on making sure that as many of these young talented players that we have and these established superstars and these kind of solid-core veterans get the opportunity to play on the world’s biggest stage, and that’s the four majors.”
LIV Golf Cries Foul Despite Securing OWGR Points for the 2026 Season
For the unversed, his comments come as players like DeChambeau, Talor Gooch and Paul Casey openly expressed their displeasure in the recent format change that was made to facilitate the partial ranking points. While players accepted the OWGR recognition, they admitted being unhappy with the new 72-hole format change.
The two-time US Open champion DeChambeau opined that players didn’t sign up to the Saudi-league to play for 72. Meanwhile, some others like Jon Rahm fully accepted the move. The Spaniard admitted being one of the leading voices wanting to make the breakaway tour follow the four-day format. He opined that longer events help players improve on their game.
It is noteworthy that both DeChambeau and Rahm were eligible to apply for PGA Tour reinstatement under the American circuit’s newly introduced Returning Member Program, which saw Brooks Koepka move back. However, they opted against it.
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