The LIV Golf League tournaments are finally getting Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition. The rankings organization on Tuesday confirmed its decision to award points for the breakaway tour events’ top 10 places. While many has backed the move, some others including LIV star Talor Gooch has voiced displeasure over it.
Gooch, speaking ahead of the 2026 LIV Golf season-opener in Riyadh, admitted being unhappy with the OWGR’s partial recognition. The 2023 LIV season champion dubbed it ‘unfair’ and reminded that the series has been in action for five years. It is pertinent to note that the Saudi-backed series made a series of format changes, including replacing its trademark 54-hole format to the traditional 72.
The one-time PGA Tour winner further stated that ‘time will tell’ the aftermath of the world rankings action.
Talor Gooch said on Wednesday, as quoted by ASAP Sports:
“Obviously I don’t think the right thing was done, which is not any different than what we’ve experienced here at LIV for the last four or five seasons now… It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. But I think anybody who says that the right thing was done and the fair thing was done, I don’t think they’re in tune with the reality of things. Hopefully there’s some improvement there. Time will tell.”
Gooch’s LIV co-stars like Jon Rahm also sounded off on the OWGR decision while players like Bryson DeChambeau welcomed it.
Talor Gooch on LIV Golf’s format change
Apart from the rankings points system, Gooch also seemed displeased with LIV Golf’s latest format changes. For the unversed, the breakaway tour ditched its controversial 54-hole shotgun format and replaced it with the traditional 72 holes. The format switch came as part of a series of changes done to facilitate world rankings.
LIV Golf Cries Foul Despite Securing OWGR Points for the 2026 Season
Gooch on Wednesday slammed the move said the series should embrace its original format and not ‘compromise the identity’ of the circuit. The 34-year-old, who has four wins on the circuit, said he hopes the series “don’t go too far down the path of replicating everything just to appease somebody.”
Commenting on LIV Golf’s latest format change, Gooch said:
“I think we all agree we (LIV) need to stay us, true to who we are and what we are. We’re a global golf league that brings a totally different energy to the game. So, we’ve got to continue to maintain the fabric of our character and who we are and what made us, what we started with in the beginning. I hope we don’t go too far down the path of replicating everything just to appease somebody… I think we’ve made plenty enough strides to try to join the ecosystem and try to appease people.”
The new Smash GC skipper’s comment came just hours after fellow captain Jon Rahm fully accepted the format change. The Spaniard admitted being one of the few golfers who welcomed the 72-hole system. However, the duo seemingly agreed on being displeased with the world rankings system.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, hockey, golf, baseball and more!