On July 11, 2025, LIV Golf renewed its application for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, aiming to allow its players to be fairly ranked alongside competitors from more established tours. Despite initial rejection by the OWGR board in October 2023, where concerns were raised about comparing LIV’s format with other tours, PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler expressed support for the inclusion of LIV golfers in the official rankings. Scheffler’s stance distinguishes him from much of the golf community, which largely remains opposed to awarding OWGR points to LIV players.

In a press conference ahead of The Open Championship, the final major of the 2025 men’s golf season, Scheffler was asked whether integrating LIV pros into the OWGR would present a more accurate depiction of the world’s top golfers. He replied candidly, underscoring the importance of having a unified ranking system.

“I think having the ability to rank all the golfers in the world is really important. When you have guys always playing a different schedule, it can be very hard to rank player versus player,”

Scheffler said.

He drew a parallel with amateur golf, where ranking junior players from different regions, such as the West Coast and East Coast of the United States, is difficult due to their attendance at different tournaments. This illustrates the broader challenge in professional golf, where LIV players face restricted chances to accumulate OWGR points because they primarily earn points only through major championships and limited global events like the DP World Tour. Consequently, LIV and PGA Tour professionals predominantly compete head-to-head in major tournaments.

Scheffler also commented on the benefits of having the world‘s best golfers playing more frequently together, stating,

“In terms of the world ranking points, I think the more often we can get the best players in the world playing together would be better, and that would only be better for the rankings as well.”

Though he has previously criticized some LIV players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, linking the golfing divide to their decisions to join the rival league, Scheffler acknowledged the reality of the separation:

“Who knows? I only get to compete against those guys four times a year. That [joining LIV Golf] was their choice; not mine.”

Meanwhile, the OWGR Board of Directors is scheduled to meet at Royal Portrush during this week’s Open Championship. Although a verdict on LIV Golf’s latest application is not expected at that meeting, this step signals progress toward reintegrating the fractured professional golf community. Scheffler is not alone in his optimism, as several LIV players, including Jon Rahm, also anticipate a positive outcome.

Jon Rahm Asserts LIV Golf Meets Standards for OWGR Recognition

Jon Rahm, a prominent figure who emerged onto the global stage following his dramatic victory at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open and capturing a major title at the 2021 U.S. Open, has experienced a significant decline in world ranking after joining LIV Golf. Without access to OWGR points due to LIV’s exclusion, Rahm has fallen from the top 50 to number 72. Other LIV players have faced similar drops, such as Brooks Koepka sliding from 19th to 276th, and Dustin Johnson plummeting from 13th to 957th worldwide.

During the 2025 LIV Golf Andalucia event, Rahm challenged the notion that LIV Golf is merely an exhibition circuit, arguing its competitive quality merits official recognition. He declared,

“The excuse, or argument, that many use is that this is an exhibition. To me, that’s false. And, whether you like it or not, whether it has a cut or not, whether it has three or four rounds or not, it’s good competition and it deserves world ranking points.”

The OWGR’s initial refusal to grant points to LIV Golf cited the league’s non-traditional format: 54-hole events instead of the standard 72, a shortened field, and a team-based structure. At the time, the OWGR chairman, Peter Dawson, expressed confidence that some format issues could be addressed mathematically, but raised concerns about the lack of promotion and relegation systems and the emphasis on team competition, which differs from OWGR’s individual-centric ranking model.

In response, LIV Golf has made changes aimed at aligning more closely with OWGR requirements. Starting in its second season in 2023, the league introduced a relegation system, though this initially excluded captains like Bubba Watson, who retained immunity until September 2024. Since then, LIV enforced true relegation for all players, ensuring their status is fully determined by performance. Moreover, efforts continue to modify the team format to emphasize individual achievement, facilitating more straightforward player evaluations for ranking purposes.

Rahm remains hopeful that these developments will lead to wider recognition of LIV Golf results in world rankings. He concluded,

“Let’s hope it’s the beginning of more LIV players qualifying for the majors directly based on their performance in LIV in the future. I believe we have a high enough level of golf. And a high enough level of competition to earn world ranking points.”

Current Implications and the Road Ahead for Golf’s Global Rankings

The struggle of LIV Golf to obtain OWGR points reflects broader tensions within professional men’s golf. OWGR points are crucial for players seeking exemptions into major championships, essentially making them a gateway to the sport’s most prestigious events. Without official ranking points, LIV players face an uphill battle to maintain their presence on the biggest stages, despite competing in tournaments with some of the world’s best talent.

The OWGR’s ongoing reviews, including the upcoming board meeting at Royal Portrush, demonstrate a cautious but open approach toward potentially reconciling the conflicting tours. If LIV Golf succeeds in securing OWGR points, it could pave the way for a more unified ranking system, allowing for clearer comparisons of players’ abilities and results worldwide.

Such a development may also increase the frequency with which top players from rival tours compete directly, enhancing the sport’s appeal to fans and sponsors. For figures like Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm, this would not only harmonize competition but could help stabilize their rankings and careers in a fragmented golfing landscape.

As the golfing world watches closely, LIV Golf’s pursuit of official ranking status remains a defining issue for the sport’s future structure and integrity on a global scale.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. What was Scottie Scheffler upset about?

A. Instead of playing, he went to the driving range to fix what wasn’t working. Scheffler looked frustrated as he and his coach, Randy Smith, discussed strategies during Friday’s TV broadcast.

Q. What did Scottie Scheffler do illegally?

A. The top-ranked golfer tried to reach Valhalla Golf Club at 6 a.m. in Louisville, Kentucky. Police say he illegally went around an accident scene where a pedestrian died. Scheffler faces several charges, including second-degree assault on a police officer and reckless driving.

Q. What does Tiger Woods think of Scottie Scheffler?

A. He finished by explaining Scheffler’s accuracy and skill. “Once you grasp that he hits with precision and varies his shots, you’ll see why he’s so good at controlling distance on greens,” Woods stated.