LIV Golf, the controversial professional golf league, has yet to apply for official world ranking points, a crucial step that could impact its players’ standings in the global golfing hierarchy. Trevor Immelman chairs the league, which has had a very tough road. It continues to seek the much-deserved recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
In October 2023, Peter Dawson, the former chairman of OWGR, sent a rejection letter to LIV Golf, outlining the board’s stance on its application for world ranking points. This unusual rejection sent shockwaves through the league, leaving the league’s future in doubt and its players unable to compete on the biggest stage. The OWGR board, made up of golf industry officials, refuses to accept LIV Golf’s team-based structure or its golf league format.
Trevor Immelman became chairman of the OWGR only three weeks before this story was published. Since his appointment, Immelman has conducted outreach with LIV Golf’s leadership. He invited to the podium Scott O’Neil, the new chief executive of LIV Golf. Later, they faced off informally – across the net at the Masters tournament, for instance. Such talks are a sign that the OWGR might be willing to work through possible avenues of collaboration between LIV Golf and the OWGR.
After talk among the heads of the four major championships—The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship and PGA Championship—the decision was made. Their unanimous decision to reject LIV Golf’s request for world ranking points. This decision serves as a reminder of how hard LIV Golf must work to gain any sense of legitimacy in the professional golf world.
Despite these initial rulings, there have been other significant developments that offer some hope for LIV players. Whether it’s The U.S. Open or The Open Championship, they’ve introduced a special finals category this year that does provide opportunity for players on LIV to play. Joaquín Niemann qualified for the U.S. Open using this new qualification category. He exhibited another route for players looking to earn a place at the top tournaments.
Unlike the real thing, at the end of 2023 LIV Golf held an awesome promotions tournament. Their first invitation extended to players was for three slots for players to qualify. Last year, that opportunity shrunk to just one position. This amendment highlights the efforts players are having to go through as they push for competitive advantages in the nutshell structure.
Even as LIV Golf persists in its pursuit of valuable world ranking points, plenty of eyes are still focused on Immelman and the OWGR board. The league’s future rests on their willingness to pursue a new model. This application would better align with the reality of the constantly evolving and competitive world of professional golf.
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