LIV Golf will receive Official World Golf Ranking points for the first time this week, beginning with its season-opening event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It marks a significant shift in the league’s five-year history after years of failed attempts to gain OWGR recognition. LIV events will be classified under OWGR’s “Small Field Tournaments” category, with ranking points awarded only to players finishing inside the top 10 and ties. The winner is expected to receive points comparable to a PGA Tour alternate-event champion.
Official World Golf Ranking Board Announces Decision on LIV Golf Application.
Read more here – https://t.co/31gNGJmhXg#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/l6Ijo2fm66
— OWGR (@OWGRltd) February 3, 2026
“This has been an incredibly complex and challenging process,” said OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman. “We fully recognized the need to rank the top men’s players in the world, but had to find a way of doing so that was equitable to the thousands of other players competing on tours with established pathways.”
OWGR had rejected LIV’s original application in 2023, citing concerns over competitive integrity, including its 54-hole, no-cut format, limited 48-player fields, and restricted promotion and relegation. LIV players subsequently slid down the rankings, forcing several — including Joaquin Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton — to seek starts on other tours to protect major championship eligibility.
Since Scott O’Neil replaced Greg Norman as CEO, LIV has renewed its push for OWGR points, introducing clearer movement through its points list and a promotions event, while also moving away from the 54-hole structure that defined its early identity.
The changes have not been universally welcomed. Bryson DeChambeau recently expressed frustration at LIV’s shift toward 72 holes.
The announcement comes amid further uncertainty around the league, following reports of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed leaving to pursue PGA Tour returns.
LIV enters its fifth season with 13 individual events scheduled, followed by a season-ending team championship.
Photo – Golf Digest / Bryson DeChambeau
