LIV Golf, the new circuit that has been gaining momentum in the world of golf, now has four major championships on its radar after the Official World Golf Ranking denied LIV Golf points.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and DP World Tour chief Executive Keith Pelley, as well as Keith Waters of the International Federation of PGA Tours, have all reportedly recused from the LIV Decision to avoid a Conflict of Interest. This leaves the decision up to Augusta National’s leaders, the PGA of America and United States Golf Association, and the R&A.
LIV’s long response did not address the OWGR reasons for rejecting points – its qualifying and relegation method – but condemned the world ranking, and questioned its legitimacy.
The statement stated that “players have traditionally been subject to one world ranking in order to qualify for Major Championships and the largest events as well as for the value of corporate sponsor contracts.” “A ranking that does not fairly represent all players, regardless of where they play golf in the world, robs golf’s stakeholders, including fans, of an objective basis for accurate recognition of world’s top player performances. This also deprives some of the most prestigious tournaments from having the best possible field.”
Bryson deChambeau is the captain of Crushers GC and he agrees.
DeChambeau said, “It has been a standard practice, unfortunately. And now that the OWGR is not allowing this, I would love to find a way to integrate into the major championships system, since I believe we have some the best players in world.” DeChambeau was speaking ahead of LIV Golf regular-season final this week in Saudi Arabia. The top 12 players on the list or the money list at the close of the season, or the points list would, I believe, be obvious to have the best players from around the world play at these four events every year.
He added, “It is truly sad that they have done this.”
LIV Golf will use the OWGR to run its 72-hole promotion. Players ranked in the top 200 of the OWGR rankings are eligible to enter the league. There is a limited pathway for outside players to get into LIV. However, the OWGR standards are not met yet.
Major championships can change their exemption criteria at their discretion, as seen last year with the U.S. Open. As was seen with the U.S. Open last year, major championships are free to change the exemption criteria. DeChambeau’s plan seems to be the simplest way for LIV golfers to return to the top-level competition. Two of the four majors have Open Championships where LIV players can qualify through the open championships.
The green jackets are on the clock at Augusta National with less than 200 more days to go until the 2024 Masters and the first major men’s event of the year.
