Report: LIV Golf hit with more frustration on eve of 2026 season

LIV Golf will have to wait another week to find out if their bid to be recognised by the sport's global rankings body has been successful, according to a report. 

The PIF-backed breakaway have been locked out of the Official World Golf Ranking system since its inauguration in 2022. 

Former LIV chief executive, Greg Norman, promised to deliver players in the league a direct pathway into the men's majors but was unsuccessful. 

Norman appeared to throw his toys out of the pram when the OWGR officially rejected LIV's application in October 2023. 

The Australian withdrew LIV's bid altogether but his successor, Scott O'Neil, launched a fresh application before the 2025 Masters. 

Since then, there has been little to no updates on the situation - with both sides saying all talks have been positive. 

But the Associated Press reported earlier in the week that the OWGR's were convening on 28 January. 

It sparked rumours that a decision was going to be announced this weekend, but now it appears the LIV will have to wait even longer:

LIV Golf's season begins on 4 February in Riyadh. 

To say the last few weeks have been tumultuous for LIV would be an understatement. 

Major winners Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed quit LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour. 

Another off-season passed whereby LIV failed to sign a bona fide star. 

Six players were recruited and Belgium's Thomas Detry was the highest-ranked signing.

Reed's replacement has yet to be named and their schedule still needs to be finalised. 

LIV Golf confirm tweaks

LIV Golf are expected to be given the green light for OWGR accreditation. 

The league have made several changes over the winter to boost their chances. 

LIV have already confirmed they are abandoning one of their founding principles for the 2026 season by expanding to 72 holes. 

And on Wednesday, the league announced further changes. 

From 2026, 11 players will be relegated from LIV - up from six. 

LIV have also expanded its "Lock Zone" from the top 24 players to 34. 

They will also award points to every player in the field instead of just to the top 24. 

Chile's Joaquin Niemann won five times last season but finished second to Jon Rahm in the individual standings, despite the fact the Spaniard did not enter the winner's circle at all. 

Elsewhere, the total purse for each tournament has been increased to $30m, with the team prize doubling to $10m. 

"The changes we're introducing for 2026 are about rewarding consistency, strengthening team golf and creating clearer pathways for players to earn their place and progress within the league," said O'Neil. 

"These changes increase the turnover and meritocratic pathways into the league, enhance the competitive tension throughout the season, reflect the increased field size in 2026 and are designed to provide greater clarity around season-long performance benchmarks."