LIV Golf Gains Ranking Points After OWGR Approval

LIV Golf will now receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, a development that occurred on February 4, 2026, just before the start of its fifth season. The decision, made by the OWGR board, was unanimous but came with specific conditions that have drawn criticism from LIV Golf's CEO.

Under the new rules, ranking points will only be distributed for top-10 finishes and ties within LIV events. LIV Golf has voiced strong objections, stating that no other tour has faced such a restriction, which they believe disproportionately affects their players. The league will be categorized under 'Small Field Tournament' rules, similar to events without a cut.

This inclusion is a significant step for LIV Golf, which has operated without ranking points since its launch in 2022. The current world rankings show only a few LIV players within the top 100, highlighting the impact this decision could have on major championship qualifications, where the OWGR is a key determinant for field selection. The Masters and PGA Championship previously used special invitations for LIV players lacking ranking points.

The OWGR board's decision concludes a lengthy debate that began with LIV's initial application in October 2023. Previous rejections cited concerns over equitable ranking of players across different tours and LIV's perceived closed-shop structure. The board aimed to balance the need to rank top players with fairness to those on other tours.

LIV Golf, which has made some structural changes including expanding its field size and "relegation zone," is now the 25th circuit recognized by the OWGR. While the PGA Tour and European tour recused themselves from the decision-making process, they have acknowledged the OWGR's ruling. The OWGR will continue to monitor LIV's league structure for future adjustments.