"We have a legitimate Tour" LIV Golf pro moans about not getting OWGR points

Carlos Ortiz reveals LIV Golf players were told they would "definitely" get world ranking points.

08 Feb 2024

"We have a legitimate Tour" LIV Golf pro moans about not getting OWGR points — "We have a legitimate Tour" LIV Golf pro moans about not getting OWGR…

Carlos Ortiz has revealed how LIV Golf players were told they would "definitely" get Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points when he first joined the Saudi-backed circuit from the start in 2022.

Ortiz, 32, vented his frustration at still having been left in the dark where OWGR points are concerned on the LIV Golf League in 2024, while appearing on this week's episode of the GOLF Subpar podcast with former PGA Tour pro Colt Knost and his co-host Drew Stoltz.

LIV Golf submitted its formal application to receive OWGR points and after a period of 18 months it was eventually determined by the OWGR they would be refused eligibility.

The main reason for the decision, which was confirmed by OWGR chairman Peter Dawson last October, was a lack of player pathways in and out of the LIV Golf League, as well the same fields every week.

Ortiz told GOLF Subpar this week:

"It was definitely said that we were going to get them [OWGR points], but we haven't got them.

"I understand that we went out of the system and it's going to take time to get back or to be part of the system, but I also think that if the world ranking was to be accurate they have to include all kinds of players you know?

"I'm not saying we should have got them from the beginning, I know there are some certain rules, and I knew from the beginning there were some consequences and the setbacks we could have had, and I accept them. I just obviously wish we could change them and find a way that we could be part of... I feel like it's getting to that point but like we could be part of that ecosystem where we can ranked and compete freely, not only in the majors against the other players.

"I just think there is a way and there's definitely enough proof that we have a legitimate tour where there's good players and we should get ranked. At the end of the day, the things about why we're not getting our world ranking too is because you need to prove certain years or certain time that you have a legitimate tour. I think it's already given that we have a legitimate tour you know."

WATCH ORTIZ'S COMMENTS HERE

Should LIV players be getting OWGR points for their events?
Carlos Ortiz joined @ColtKnost and @thesleezyman for this week's episode to talk about everything LIV as their season gets started.
Full episode: https://t.co/goT1LHzfCm pic.twitter.com/pL1C14Uqor
— Subpar (@golf_subpar) February 6, 2024

Ortiz has yet to win on the LIV Golf League but he came closest last season when being defeated in a three-man playoff by eventual winner Danny Lee at LIV Golf Tucson.

The Mexican had been playing for Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC for the first two years but he was traded to Joaquin Niemann's Torque GC for the 2024 season.

Ortiz won his sole PGA Tour title at the 2020 Houston Open.

Niemann got his season off to a flyer as he defeated his former mentor Garcia in a playoff at LIV Golf Mayakoba last week.

Torque GC finished third in the team event, but Ortiz finished a disappointing T43 on 4-over par in the individual tournament.

Ortiz will be looking to bounce back at this week's LIV Golf Las Vegas, which tees off later today and concludes on Saturday as a result of the Super Bowl also taking place in Vegas on Sunday night.

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