Ever since LIV Golf began nearly three years ago, the league has been seeking recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking so players on the Saudi-backed tour can earn OWGR points. But it seems like the league is now admitting defeat in that regard.
On Tuesday morning, LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman announced that the league has withdrawn its application for recognition by the OWGR.
“It is now clear that the best way forward for LIV as a league and you as LIV golfers is not through the current ranking system,” LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman wrote in a letter this week. “A resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility, and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists. We have made enormous efforts to fight for you and to ensure your accomplishments are recognized within the existing ranking system. Unfortunately, the OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”
OWGR points are used to determine exemptions and other invitations into the four major championships: the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship. LIV Golf has been unable to earn recognition from the OWGR due to the exclusivity of the league as well as the team format. And they’ve now stopped trying.
Obviously, this is pretty significant news, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
LIV: “Even though our events meet almost none of the OWGR criteria, we still deserve points because we have all these world class players!”
Also LIV: *signs a dude who hasn’t competed in professional golf in TWELVE YEARS* https://t.co/PM91HQLkxP
— Drew Mahowald (@DrewMahowald) March 5, 2024
I have a feeling after the Masters the player acquisition attempts are going to heat up strong. Seems @livgolf_league is laying the groundwork to go “we tried to work with you for 2 yrs and you gave us literally nothing and have schemed to hurt our players. If that’s how the game… https://t.co/t1JzwEuyw9
— Jim (@Cakalacman) March 5, 2024
This dude is so self-centered, it’s laughable at this point. He had one goal, and one goal only, and it was to destroy golf, and this is perfect proof.
Instead of listening to what the OWGR has said in order to meet their criteria, he’s selfish and refuses to do so while… https://t.co/yQfUi6u5MH
— Jake (@JSamulakCLE) March 5, 2024
The OWGR guidelines are clear. Players signed to LIV knowing that Norman lied to them. https://t.co/0VcViq0DNX
— Eric Allen Jr. (@eric_allenjr) March 5, 2024
He should’ve said “I’m sorry I lied & ruined most of your chances to play in the majors”. https://t.co/cStaNy8NRL
— Harry (@SsorYrrah) March 5, 2024
The beginning of the end https://t.co/RQpPKStSKC
— Max Mordarski (@MaxMordarski) March 5, 2024
Don’t care about LIV… you made your bed now sleep in it! https://t.co/7WIOtUghzS
— MikeInglisHEAT (@MikeInglisHEAT) March 5, 2024
We’ll have to see what happens next in this situation.
[ESPN]
