LIV Golf has launched a scathing attack on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) board for awarding ranking points to its players, despite the governing body insisting it's a "long-overdue moment of recognition". The controversy centers around the OWGR's decision to limit ranking points to just the top 10 finishers at LIV Golf events.
In contrast, all other men's professional golf tours that are part of the OWGR award points to all players who make the cut. This disparity has led LIV Golf to claim that it's being unfairly penalized and that its system is "disproportionately harming" top performers who consistently finish just outside the top 10.
"This outcome is unprecedented," said a statement from LIV Golf. "No other competitive tour or league in OWGR history has been subjected to such a restriction." The governing body, however, argues that it's awarding points to LIV players as part of an effort to reflect the changing landscape of the men's professional game.
The controversy highlights the ongoing rift between LIV Golf and the traditional golf establishment. While the Saudi Arabia-funded circuit is committed to evolving its system, with each of its 14 events in 2026 being played over 72 holes, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to bring the governing bodies together.
The limited ranking points for LIV Golf players means that only the most consistent performers will see a significant rise up the world rankings. England's Tyrrell Hatton and American Bryson DeChambeau are currently ranked 22nd and 33rd respectively, with five others among the top 100, including Jon Rahm.
The OWGR board has defended its decision, stating that it was necessary to find a balance between recognizing top performers and treating thousands of other players competing on other tours fairly. The governing body also acknowledged that LIV Golf is evolving, but made clear that it would continue to evaluate the tour's progress in 2027.
In contrast, all other men's professional golf tours that are part of the OWGR award points to all players who make the cut. This disparity has led LIV Golf to claim that it's being unfairly penalized and that its system is "disproportionately harming" top performers who consistently finish just outside the top 10.
"This outcome is unprecedented," said a statement from LIV Golf. "No other competitive tour or league in OWGR history has been subjected to such a restriction." The governing body, however, argues that it's awarding points to LIV players as part of an effort to reflect the changing landscape of the men's professional game.
The controversy highlights the ongoing rift between LIV Golf and the traditional golf establishment. While the Saudi Arabia-funded circuit is committed to evolving its system, with each of its 14 events in 2026 being played over 72 holes, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to bring the governing bodies together.
The limited ranking points for LIV Golf players means that only the most consistent performers will see a significant rise up the world rankings. England's Tyrrell Hatton and American Bryson DeChambeau are currently ranked 22nd and 33rd respectively, with five others among the top 100, including Jon Rahm.
The OWGR board has defended its decision, stating that it was necessary to find a balance between recognizing top performers and treating thousands of other players competing on other tours fairly. The governing body also acknowledged that LIV Golf is evolving, but made clear that it would continue to evaluate the tour's progress in 2027.
and I'm still reeling from the stunning views of the coastline 
. I was thinking about how some people are complaining about LIV Golf's ranking system and it made me think, have you ever tried to plan a vacation with friends? It's so hard to agree on everything! Like, do we go for that beach resort or that mountain lodge? Sometimes you just gotta roll with it 
. Anyway, back to golf... I guess the OWGR should give LIV Golf some more points, but at the same time, it's not like the traditional tours are doing anything right either 
. And have you seen those golf courses in Scotland? Mind-blowing! 
i mean liv golf is trying to change things up and evolve their system, but it feels like the owgr is just being stubborn about it. i think its cool that they're trying something new, but at the end of the day, its all about who can perform under pressure and thats what should be counted, not some arbitrary rule 
! Like, I'm just trying to wrap my head around this whole thing. If all these top golfers are on the same system, why should they be getting more points than everyone else? It feels like LIV Golf is trying to level the playing field, but at the same time, it's still creating this huge disparity. And what's with the 72-hole events in 2026? Trying to make a statement or just trying to get more attention? I don't know, man... Interesting 
. The whole ranking point system is pretty confusing tbh... who gets the points? Who doesn't? It feels like a big ol' mess.
. The whole thing just feels like a power struggle between different factions of golf 
. Will that help them bridge the gap with the traditional tours? Or will it just make things worse 
?
. It's not like they're being penalized or anything, just that their system isn't as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be 
. It's like, if everyone gets points just for making the cut, what's the point of even competing? But limiting points to top 10 finishers, that's a bummer for all the other talented players trying to break in 
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. Maybe next year they'll get it right, but until then, I'm gonna keep calling them out for being unfair 
this is so unfair! I mean, can you blame them for wanting more recognition? They're trying to make their own way in golf and it feels like they're being held back by the old school ways 
. It's like, yeah, sure, LIV Golf needs to prove itself, but do they really need that harsh of a reaction? It's gonna be hard for them to gain trust with the traditional golf establishment when they're getting treated like this 
. And what about all those players who are stuck in the middle, trying to make ends meet and not get the recognition they deserve 
. Limiting ranking points to top 10 finishers is just another way for them to try and create a sense of exclusivity and superiority 
. I'm not sure what's changing, but if LIV Golf can't even get its own house in order before trying to shake up the traditional golf world, I'll be waiting for the dust to settle 
. It's like they're being punished for innovation and progress 
. Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau are struggling to get recognition, but it's not like they're not talented enough 
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. like who decides what's "fair" for all these players anyway? seems like OWGR just trying to keep LIV Golf in its place, but will it make a diff if they change their system in 2027?