As LIV Golf prepares to launch its fifth season on February 4, 2026, the Saudi-backed league remains in limbo over its long-sought Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points status. Despite ongoing discussions with the OWGR Governing Board and changes to its tournament format, no definitive decision has been reached about awarding world ranking points to LIV events, leaving players and fans unsure of what the new season will mean for global golf standings.
The OWGR is an essential component of professional golf, determining world rankings that affect qualification for major championships, including The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship and PGA Championship. Without inclusion in the OWGR system, LIV competitors face barriers when it comes to accessing those prestigious events through official ranking positions — a continuing concern as the 2026 season approaches.
OWGR Points Still Unsettled Despite Progress
OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman confirmed that discussions between the OWGR Governing Board and LIV Golf representatives have taken place throughout the year, with “regular” engagement aimed at thoroughly evaluating LIV’s application for ranking points. While Immelman emphasized progress and a commitment to fairness and consistency, he also acknowledged that there is “no decision to share at this time.”
The delay means that as LIV’s 2026 schedule begins, players competing under its banner may still be ineligible to earn world ranking points — at least initially. This unresolved status highlights the complexity of integrating a relatively new and structurally unique league into the established professional golf ranking framework, which has historically been tied to merit-based qualification pathways across 24 sanctioned tours.
Major Changes in Format Not Enough to Secure Points… Yet
One of the most significant changes for LIV going into 2026 is the shift from 54-hole tournaments to 72-hole events, bringing its competitions more in line with traditional professional golf formats. The OWGR typically allocates points based on factors like tournament length and field strength, and this change could theoretically improve LIV’s standing in the evaluation process.
However, the OWGR has identified another key obstacle: LIV’s player selection and entry model. Most of LIV’s competitors are invited to play rather than earning spots through open qualification or performance-based systems. This differs from the entry mechanisms used by other tours currently included in the OWGR system, where players must meet defined criteria to gain eligibility.
This emphasis on invitation-only participation has become one of the sticking points in discussions, illustrating a deeper philosophical divide between LIV’s structure and the meritocratic principles historically upheld by the OWGR. Until that issue — or a suitable workaround — is resolved, a full integration into the ranking system remains out of reach.
Implications for Players and Majors Qualification
The lack of OWGR points carries tangible consequences for LIV players. In many cases, “world ranking” is the most direct route for competitors to secure spots in the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. Without points earned through LIV events, players may struggle to qualify for major championships based solely on their performance in that league.
This situation could influence career decisions — including participation in other sanctioned tours or efforts to earn points through alternative pathways. It also raises strategic questions for athletes considering LIV Golf versus traditional tours where world ranking positions remain a gateway to major championships and international events like the Olympics.
Adjusted OWGR Rules Do Offer Some Clarity for All Tours
In parallel with discussions about LIV’s application, the OWGR introduced a broader rule adjustment regarding event length and ranking point allocations. Under the updated system, 54-hole tournaments — including those shortened due to weather — will receive a reduced allocation of field rating and points (75 percent for 54-hole and 50 percent for 36-hole events). While this change applies to all tours and not exclusively to LIV, it reflects the OWGR’s efforts to adapt to evolving competitive formats within the sport.
The change offers clarity for how such events will be treated if they remain part of the global calendar, providing a consistent approach across different tours and conditions. Yet even with this adjustment, LIV’s unique status and structural differences remain central to the unresolved ranking question.
LIV’s 2026 Season Set to Begin Amid Ranking Uncertainty
Despite the uncertainty over OWGR points, LIV Golf is pushing ahead with its 2026 season kickoff in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, backed by significant funding from the Saudi Public Investment Fund — whose recent $113 million investment brought total backing beyond $5 billion. With fields set to expand slightly — adding three wild-card spots and increasing the roster size to 57 players — LIV continues to evolve its competition structure.
The introduction of wild-card slots earned through competitive qualifiers (such as the January LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida) may help address some of the merit-based criteria sought by the OWGR, but whether these adjustments will be sufficient to sway the ranking body remains uncertain.
Background: Why OWGR Points Matter in Professional Golf
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) plays a central role in professional golf, serving as the global standard for comparing players’ performance across tours and regions. Points are typically awarded based on factors like tournament strength, field quality and finish position, with ratings influencing eligibility for majors, world championships and international competitions.
Inclusion in the OWGR can dramatically affect a tour’s legitimacy, attractiveness to players and overall prestige. Tours that are excluded or only partially recognized often find their players at a disadvantage when it comes to ranking-based opportunities — a reality LIV now faces as it seeks broader acceptance within the established golf ecosystem.
Reactions From Golf Stakeholders
Responses to LIV’s ongoing OWGR bid have varied across the golf world. Traditionalists emphasize the importance of preserving the ranking system’s meritocratic foundations, arguing that invitation-only models undermine competitive integrity. Others suggest that LIV’s growth and financial backing will inevitably lead to eventual integration, albeit possibly through compromise or structural adjustments in the future.
Analysts also point to the evolving landscape of professional golf, where alternative leagues like LIV challenge historical norms and force governing bodies to reconsider long-held criteria. The outcome of these discussions could shape how professional golf adapts to new formats and competitions in the years ahead.
Looking Forward: What’s Next for LIV and OWGR
With the 2026 LIV Golf season set to begin soon, all eyes will be on how the OWGR’s evaluation unfolds in the coming months. If a resolution is reached before or during the season, it could significantly impact player participation, major qualification prospects and LIV’s broader place in the global golf landscape. Conversely, continued uncertainty may prompt players and organizers to seek alternative solutions or rethink long-term strategies.
Regardless of the outcome, the ongoing dialogue between LIV Golf and the Official World Golf Ranking board highlights the evolving relationship between emerging leagues and traditional governing structures — a dynamic that may define the future of the sport beyond 2026.
