LIV Golf reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with OWGR to receive ranking points

Unlike the PGA Tour and other circuits, the PIF-funded LIV Golf does not receive the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) points.

LIV Golf reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with OWGR to receive ranking points

Scott O'Neil, CEO of LIV Golf (Image via Golf Digest)

A major development seems to be on the horizon for LIV Golf. As per reports, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) backed-tour is in ‘advanced talks’ with the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) to receive rankings points.

Since their establishment in 2021, LIV Golf has been trying to receive these ranking points. With their circuit having only 54 holes instead of the regular 72, their players do not receive this points which severely affects their rankings.

The ranking points given by the OWGR help golfers qualify for the major championships. While some of the top names of LIV Golf have exemptions from these events as previous winners, the other do not have this exemption and thus miss out on playing in the majors.

Several LIV Golfers and even some PGA Tour stars have been vocal regarding this matter in the past. There has also been a divided opinion regarding this from fans on social media, with some complaining about players receiving ranking points from playing in the Hero World Challenge, an unofficial PGA Tour event.

Last year, former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman revealed that they had withdrawn their application regarding this. In a letter shared with LIV players, Norman expressed that the OWGR had “shown little willingness to productively work with us.”

Earlier this month, former Masters Champion Trevor Immelmann replaced Peter Dawson as the head of the OWGR. During the 2025 Masters Tournament, he was seen chatting with new LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil.

As per reports from Sportico, executives at LIV Golf and OWGR are in ‘serious discussions’ about awarding rankings points to the PIF-backed tour. This development also comes at a time when several LIV players enter the final year of their contract.

5x LIV Golf champion Joaquin Niemann comments on LIV Golf getting OWGR points

One of the hotly contested debates in golf has been LIV Golf not receiving the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. Some top names like Talor Gooch and Joaquin Niemann, who do not special exemptions, have been hurt significantly without these points. Niemann, the 5-time LIV Golf champion, recently once again commented on this matter.

Joaquin Niemann
Joaquin Niemann (Image via Today’s Golfer)

The Chilean golfer took home the LIV Golf Mexico City title on Sunday with scores of 68, 64, and 65. This turned out to be his third win on the tour this year, having previously won at LIV Golf Adelaide and LIV Golf Singapore. Despite this, he is ranked 82nd in the OWGR, as he only receives the point during his participation in the major championships.

While speaking with ESPN Deportes regarding this, Niemann expressed that it would be an “incredible” addition for their tour.

With someone like Scott leading the way, I think he’s really tried to do the best for the league and for golf in general. I feel very confident about where we are right now. If it ends up happening, and we do get world ranking points, it would be incredible. And if not, we’ll continue to get closer little by little.

Joaquin Niemann told ESPN Deportes as per Sportico

At the moment, only three LIV Golfers, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, and Patrick Reed are in the top 50 OWGR rankings. All of them had a wonderful Masters Tournament with Reed finishing as the top LIV Golfer at 3rd, two shots behind eventual winner Rory McIlroy at 9-under par.

New leadership has brought big changes to LIV Golf this year

Earlier this year, Greg Norman was replaced by Scott O’Neil as the CEO of LIV Golf. Since then, the 54-hole circuit has seen some big changes.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil (Image via Golf Monthly)

While reports suggest that LIV Golf and OWGR are in advanced talks regarding the former receiving ranking points, they have also been successful in creating pathways for the major championships. The USGA and the R&A have opened a direct path for LIV Golfers to qualify for the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, respectively.

Joaquin Niemann, who won this past Sunday, qualified for the U.S. Open at Oakmont this year with this pathway. The 26-year-old is currently on top of the LIV Golf Individual Standings. As a result of this, he will tee off in the third major of the year this season.

Another big change has been their TV deal with FOX Sports. At the start of the year, LIV Golf announced that they had signed a multi-year media rights deal with FOX Sports, which would see the media company offer live coverage of every tournament of LIV Golf.

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