Official World Golf Ranking board updates status of LIV Golf application ahead of move to 72 holes

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It has been a difficult offseason for LIV Golf thus far. The PIF-financed league lost one of its biggest stars in Brooks Koepka, who chose to walk away from his big-money contract despite one year remaining on his deal. In the wake of Koepka’s departure, Bryson DeChambeau—LIV Golf's most bankable asset heading into 2026—played coy about his own future in an interview with Flushing It Golf. All the while, the once-steady drip of rumors about the league’s potential merger with the PGA Tour grew slower and slower.

On Tuesday, however, LIV Golf got if not good, then at least neutral news about its renewed quest for Official World Golf Ranking points. In anticipation of the league’s move to a 72-hole tournament format in 2026, OWGR Board Chairman Trevor Immelman issued the following statement:

“Since the end of June, the Governing Board has endeavoured to thoroughly evaluate the LIV Golf application. We remain committed to the OWGR’s mission, which requires honouring the meritocracy woven into the professional game. As such, discussions have been regular and remain ongoing. To be clear, progress has been made, but there is no decision to share at this time. We will continue to work closely with LIV Golf as it continues to evolve to ensure its application is handled with fairness, integrity and consistency, as stated previously.”

As the cliché goes, no news is good news, and that could yet be the case for LIV Golf. Ironically enough, as part of its communication on the status of LIV Golf’s application, the OWGR board also announced updates to how 54-hole and other curtailed events will be calculated moving forward. The changes are as follows:

Scheduled 54-Hole Events

- All scheduled 54-hole events are to receive 75% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.

Curtailed Regulations

- 72-hole events reduced to 54 holes will receive 75% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.

- 72-hole events reduced to 36 holes will receive 50% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.

- 54-hole events reduced to 36 holes will receive 50% of the original calculated Field Rating and Ranking Points Distribution.

“In its extensive review of Ranking, the Governing Board determined that events comprised of less than 72 holes needed to be addressed,” said Immelman. “Adjustments are always made following careful consideration, and the OWGR will continue to monitor ways in which it can update and enhance the operation of the Ranking in its pursuit of fulfilling its Mission.”

The changes will go into effect almost immediately, beginning the first week of January 2026, and seem to bode well for LIV Golf. When the OWGR board denied LIV Golf’s initial application in the fall of 2023, they cited the league’s tournament format—54 holes, no cut, 48-player field—and limited promotion/relegation structure as the two primary stumbling blocks. With the impeding move to a 72-hole format and changes to the LIV Golf Promotions event in recent months, league officials seem to have placed a renewed emphasis on OWGR accreditation. Tuesday’s announcement was not the slam dunk they were perhaps hoping for, but it represents a step in the right direction on both sides as the league prepares for its pivotal fifth season.

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