The decision marks the first time LIV results will be reflected in the OWGR, a development that has implications for player eligibility in majors and other global events. While the move represents a shift in stance from the ranking body, the structure of the allocation has drawn swift criticism from LIV, which argues the framework falls short of the OWGR’s own stated principles.

LIV GOLF STATEMENT ON OWGR DECISION

The stated mission of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is to “administer and publish a transparent, credible, and accurate ranking based on the relative performances of players participating in male Eligible Golf Tours worldwide.”

We acknowledge this long-overdue moment of recognition, which affirms the fundamental principle that performance on the course should matter, regardless of where the competition takes place.

However, this outcome is unprecedented. Under these rules, a player finishing 11th in a LIV Golf event is treated the same as a player finishing 57th. Limiting points to only the top 10 finishers disproportionately harms players who consistently perform at a high level but finish just outside that threshold, as well as emerging talent working to establish themselves on the world stage, precisely the players a fair and meritocratic ranking system is designed to recognise.

No other competitive tour or league in OWGR history has been subjected to such a restriction. We expect this is merely a first step toward a structure that fully and fairly serves the players, the fans, and the future of the sport.

We entered this process in good faith and will continue to advocate for a ranking system that reflects performance over affiliation. The game deserves transparency. The fans deserve credibility. And the players deserve a system that treats them equally.

Under the current framework, only the top 10 finishers in LIV Golf events will receive OWGR points, a condition not applied to any other eligible tour. LIV contends this disproportionately impacts players regularly contending but finishing just outside that cutoff, limiting their ability to climb the rankings through consistent performance.

While the decision represents a breakthrough after years of stalemate, it is unlikely to quiet debate around the OWGR’s role in an increasingly fragmented professional landscape. For now, LIV has gained a foothold, but the shape of that foothold suggests the conversation around world ranking points is far from settled.