LIV Golf Fails in Bid For World Ranking Points

A PEACE deal may be in the offing but, for now at least, LIV Golf's attempt to be recognised by the sport's global rankings body has been denied.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) has rejected the Saudi Arabia-backed series' request because of concerns about the circuit's format.

OWGR chairman Peter Dawson said the 54-hole, no-cut events for 48 players remains an issue, along with limited access for players to join the venture.

However, he said it could be managed through a "mathematical formula".

Dawson said in a letter sent on Tuesday to LIV Golf's chief executive Greg Norman and chief operating officer Gary Davidson that "at this time" it would not be recognised as an eligible golf tour in the OWGR system.

The bigger concern, according to the letter, is the limited access for players to join LIV Golf which, barring injury, features the same 48 players all season.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Needless to say, LIV were unimpressed. They said in a statement: “OWGR’s sole objective is to rank the best players across the globe. Today’s communication makes clear that it can no longer deliver on that objective.

“Players have historically remained subject to a single world ranking to qualify for Major Championships, the biggest events, and for corporate sponsor contract value. A ranking which fails to fairly represent all participants, irrespective of where in the world they play golf, robs fans, players and all of golf’s stakeholders of the objective basis underpinning any accurate recognition of the world’s best player performances. It also robs some traditional tournaments of the best fields possible.

“Professional golf is now without a true or global scoring and ranking system. There is no benefit for fans or players from the lack of trust or clarity as long as the best player performances are not recognized.  

“LIV will continue to strive to level set the market so fans, broadcasters, and sponsors have the assurance of an independent and objective ranking system and the pure enjoyment of watching the best golf in the world.”

Dawson wrote that LIV informed the OWGR in July that 14 players will be invited back next season regardless of their performance, more than double the number originally indicated to the rankings body.

"Simply put, the board committee does not believe it is equitable to thousands of players who strive every day to get starts in OWGR eligible tournaments to have a tour operate in this mostly closed fashion," Dawson wrote.

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