As of 2026, LIV Golf has struck a deal with the OWGR to earn some global ranking points for its players. There were restrictions on how the points were handed out. This has left the players questioning the fairness of the deal. However, the system is now in play, and LIV Golf players are making their way up the rankings after just one event at the very start of the season.
Players On The Points
When a deal was struck, players were hopeful, but quickly saw the details of said deal. Players like Bryson DeChambeau stated that he was just glad that points were being awarded. Many saw the idea of awarding only the top ten points as completely unfair. This was because it wasn’t the case on the PGA or European tours. This was also on top of how the points were less than in other tours. Despite their criticisms, though, players are already reaping the benefits.
LIV Players Going Up In Rank
LIV Golf just had its season opener, and its first event to be recognized by the OWGR, the LIV Golf Riyadh Event. Despite earning limited points compared to a standard PGA Tour event, players are jumping up in place. Some are firmly staking their claims in the world’s top 100. There were 11 players who earned points despite the rule being only the top ten. The reason for this is that three finished T-9. Starting with the event winner, Elvis Smylie went from 134th in the world to a solid 77th, putting him in the top 100 for the first time. Jon Rahm was on the edge of the top 100 previously with a 97th position, but the LIV event pushed him ahead of Smylie into 67th. David Puig was in a similar boat to Rahm, being in the 95th position, but pushed himself into the 87th position.
Out of the event’s top ten, Thomas Detry was the only one to fall back on the global ranking, but only by one position, from 62nd to 63rd. Other players stayed outside the top 100, who were in the top ten for the tournament. Sebastian Munoz was in the 767th position but jumped up to the 566th after his 8th-place finish.
LIV Golf On The OWGR
After just one event, the players on LIV Golf are already scrambling to earn their OWGR points. There are already massive changes in their position. The top 100 tends to be a bit more cutthroat than the rest of the rankings. One good game can easily knock someone else out of their position. This also means that many of these players, especially the ones who are rocketing their way into the top 100, are now within arm’s reach of a major. This could change at any moment. The points are still limited, and they are far less than what the older, more established leagues get. The massive jumps can easily be overcome by players outside of LIV. However, the points are still making a difference for the players at the moment.
Main Photo Credit: © Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters via Imagn Images
