LIV Golf stars forced to look elsewhere for Open spot as world ranking snub goes on

LIV Golf’s representation at this year’s major championships is set to be sparse, with the breakaway league still waiting to acquire ranking points from the Official World Golf Ranking.

Two LIV Golf stars have turned their attention to the Asian Tour this week, with world ranking points and three spaces at the Open Championship up for grabs at the Malaysian Open.

This year, there will be a restriction on the number of LIV players participating in golf’s four major tournaments because the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) has not recognized the Saudi-backed league.

Although a few notable players from the league have exemptions based on their past major victories, the remaining members are likely to be excluded as LIV events have not been included in the global ranking system.

Sam Horsfield and David Puig, an Englishman and a Spaniard respectively, have decided to travel to Malaysia this week in order to secure a place at the prestigious final major tournament of the year, the Open at Royal Troon.

They hope that this strategy will pave their way to participating in the tournament. Horsfield and Puig will have an opportunity to accumulate valuable ranking points and are also aiming to secure a top-three position. This achievement would guarantee them a spot in July’s Open.

They both made impressive beginnings at The Mines Resort & Golf Club, finishing round one tied for 13th place at five-under-par. Despite the respite for LIV members due to their connections to the Asian Tour, the situation is still far from ideal for the breakaway league’s members. LIV has made significant progress in the professional game since its establishment in June 2022, but a major issue that persists is the lack of recognition from the OWGR.

Their latest bid was rejected last October, with OWGR bosses stating the league’s 54-hole, no-cut format and promotion and relegation system as the key reasoning behind the rejection. Unsurprisingly those in charge of the Saudi-backed league were less than impressed with the decision, slamming the legitimacy of the rankings.

“OWGR’s sole objective is to rank the best players across the globe. Today’s communication makes clear that it can no longer deliver on that objective,” a LIV statement read at the time.” Professional golf is now without a true or global scoring and ranking system. There is no benefit for fans or players from the lack of trust or clarity as long as the best player performances are not recognised.

“LIV will continue to strive to level set the market so fans, broadcasters, and sponsors have the assurance of an independent and objective ranking system and the pure enjoyment of watching the best golf in the world.” One proposal that has been suggested is those in charge of golf’s four majors offering some sort of exemption pathway for those competing on the breakaway league.

Bryson DeChambeau proposed the concept in Jeddah last October, expressing his belief that although it is currently not permitted, there should be an alternative method for the integration of exceptional players into the major championship system, as he regards them among the finest in the world.

“It would be clear that the top 12 players on either the money list or the points list at the end of the year should be given the opportunity to participate in the major championships.

However, the organizers have not yet designated any qualification criteria for the LIV setup.”