Back on February 3rd, LIV Golf received a major boost in momentum when the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) announced it would begin awarding ranking points to LIV players starting with the 2026 season.
The decision marked a turning point for the Saudi-backed league, which had been pushing for OWGR accreditation since its launch in 2022. For years, LIV golfers had seen their world rankings drop due to a lack of eligibility for points. This impacted their ability to qualify for major championships and other prestigious events.
Some players, like Joaquim Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton, previously traveled to other circuits while also competing for LIV Golf to maintain their OWGR standings. This strategy, though likely exhausting, helped them preserve eligibility for major championships while continuing to compete in LIV events.
The change officially took effect during LIV Golf’s season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 4th. Since then, five events have taken place. A total of 32 LIV golfers have recorded top-10 finishes, including ties.
As a result, many LIV competitors have already seen noticeable improvements in their OWGR standings. While the new system only awards points to the top 10 finishers in each event, the impact has still been significant across the league.
LIV Golfers Who Have Climbed the Rankings
Among the biggest beneficiaries is Bryson DeChambeau. He has surged to become the highest-ranked LIV golfer at 24th in the world. His rise has been fueled by back-to-back victories this season, including a win at LIV Golf Singapore and a dramatic playoff victory over Jon Rahm at LIV Golf South Africa. DeChambeau’s performance moved him from 33rd to 24th, showcasing the immediate impact of the ranking system.
Jon Rahm has also made a significant move, jumping from 97th to 28th in the rankings. His consistent performance, highlighted by one win, three runner-up finishes, and a fifth-place, has demonstrated his skill alongside the value of now earning OWGR points through LIV events.
Elivs Smylie won his LIV debut and immediately saw a jump from 134th to 77th. He’s now in 79th after a T8 finish.
Other notable movers include Abraham Ancer, who rose from 616th to 299th after T4 and T3 finishes. Matthew Wolff has made one of the most dramatic leaps, climbing 1,577 spots from 2,148th to 571st. A fifth-place finish in Hong Kong and a tie for eighth in Singapore allowed for the improvement.
While not every LIV golfer has benefited equally, the overall trend points toward improved rankings across the board.
Announcement Made By OWGR
In its official statement, the OWGR Board acknowledged the evolving nature of professional golf. It confirmed that, after an extensive review process, points would be awarded to LIV events for the 2026 season. However, the board also noted that points would only be allocated to the top 10 finishers in individual stroke-play events, recognizing that LIV Golf does not fully meet all existing OWGR eligibility criteria.
Ultimately, this decision represents a compromise. It acknowledges LIV Golf’s growing influence while maintaining the standards of the global ranking system.
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