LIV Golf League receives major Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) update

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) chairman and former Masters champion Trevor Immelman has today confirmed "progress has been made" in regards to LIV Golf receiving world ranking points — but no decision has yet been made. 

According to Immelman's latest update, issued on the OWGR website on Tuesday 30 December, the board has evalauted LIV Golf's latest application to receive world ranking points after having moved from a 54 to 72-hole format in 2026. 

Discussions have reportedly been held, but no decision has yet been made as to whether to include LIV Golf League events. 

It has been one of LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil's biggest goals to get the breakaway league on the OWGR-counting events list since he replaced two-time major champion Greg Norman at the helm last season. 

OWGR's latest update comes a week after Brooks Koepka quit the LIV Golf League with one year left on his contract. 

Talks are said to be ongoing over contract extensions for a number of LIV Golf's superstar names, none bigger than Bryson DeChambeau.

But the latest update coming out of LIV Golf ahead of 2026 surrounds its involvement within the OWGR ranks, something it has been shut out of now since its inception in the summer of 2022. 

LIV Golf's new 2026 campaign officially gets underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the first week of February. 

Whether they will have OWGR points set up by then remains to be seen, but it will mark their first season with a 72-hole format.

Shotgun starts will remain, however. 

The latest OWGR update regarding LIV Golf League's application process reads as follows: 

The Governing Board of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) today provided an update to its review of the LIV Golf application and announced a change to how scheduled 54-hole events and Curtailed Events will be treated within the Ranking’s calculation.

Trevor Immelman, Chairman of the OWGR Governing Board, said: “Since the end of June, the Governing Board has endeavoured to thoroughly evaluate the LIV Golf application. We remain committed to the OWGR’s mission, which requires honouring the meritocracy woven into the professional game. As such, discussions have been regular and remain ongoing. To be clear, progress has been made, but there is no decision to share at this time. We will continue to work closely with LIV Golf as it continues to evolve to ensure its application is handled with fairness, integrity and consistency, as stated previously.”

Separately, in its ongoing review of the Ranking, the Governing Board has approved how events scheduled or curtailed to fewer than four 18-hole rounds will be treated. The following is scheduled to take effect Week 1 of 2026:

1. Scheduled 54-Hole Events
   • All scheduled 54-hole events are to receive 75% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.
2. Curtailed Regulations
   • 72-hole events reduced to 54 holes will receive 75% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.
   • 72-hole events reduced to 36 holes will receive 50% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.
   • 54-hole events reduced to 36 holes will receive 50% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.

“In its extensive review of Ranking, the Governing Board determined that events comprised of less than 72 holes needed to be addressed,” said Immelman. “Adjustments are always made following careful consideration, and the OWGR will continue to monitor ways in which it can update and enhance the operation of the Ranking in its pursuit of fulfilling its Mission.”

Will LIV Golf finally receive OWGR points in 2026? 

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