LIV Golf League Abandons World Ranking Bid for Majors Pathway
LIV Golf league steps away from pursuing world ranking points to focus on creating a pathway to major championships, affecting player standings and tournament qualifications. Read more on the implications for professional golf’s landscape.
BBC Golf: LIV Golf Abandons World Ranking Bid, Seeks Pathway to Majors
In a significant development, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league has formally abandoned its pursuit of securing world ranking points for its events. However, LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman has expressed the league’s continued efforts to create a pathway for its players to compete in major championships.
LIV Golf first applied for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) accreditation back in July 2022, as the new league began luring some of the sport’s top talents away from the PGA Tour. Unfortunately, their bid was rejected in October, with the OWGR citing concerns over LIV’s team format, lack of a cut, and closed-shop invitational model.
Despite attempts by LIV to appease the OWGR, the move proved futile. In a letter to his players, Norman acknowledged the league’s “significant efforts to fight” for their recognition within the current ranking system, but noted that the OWGR has shown “little willingness to productively work with us.”
The lack of OWGR recognition has had a significant impact on several high-profile LIV players, who have seen their world rankings plummet, jeopardizing their ability to qualify for major tournaments. However, Norman stated that LIV will continue its dialogue directly with the major championship organizers, who also sit on the OWGR board, in a bid to create a pathway for its golfers.
“We continue to seek meaningful communication and relationships with each of the majors to ensure that LIV golfers are fairly represented and golf fans around the world have opportunities to see the best competition possible,” the Australian added.
The decision to abandon the OWGR bid comes as LIV Golf seeks to establish itself as a viable alternative to the PGA Tour, attracting top talent with its lucrative financial model. However, the lack of world ranking points has proven to be a significant hurdle, as players struggle to maintain their positions and qualify for the sport’s most prestigious events.
As the battle for the future of professional golf continues, the golf community eagerly awaits the outcome of LIV’s efforts to secure a pathway for its players into the major championships.
🔗 Source
