LIV Golf’s Lack of Self-Awareness is Dumbfounding

On Tuesday, the Official World Golf Ranking Board announced LIV Golf events will receive world ranking points in 2026, despite acknowledging “there are a number of areas where LIV Golf does not meet the eligibility standards set out by OWGR.”

These shortcomings are substantial.

According to OWGR regulations, field sizes should be a minimum of 75 players. In 2026, LIV will have an average field of 57. All LIV events feature no cut, the pathways to join the league are restrictive—two spots are filled from the Asian Tour’s International Series, three are filled from “closed” promotion events—and players are recruited instead of earning their own way.

But it’s the final reason given by the OWGR that’s raised eyebrows: “And, in recent days, the addition/removal of players to/from teams based on their nationality rather than for meritocratic reasons.”

LIV’s Iron Heads GC was rebranded to the Korean Golf Club, and in turn, Japanese player Jinichiro Kozuma was let go, all because we wasn’t the right race. If that doesn’t infuriate you, it’s time to take a look in the mirror.

Taking all of this into consideration, the OWGR concluded that only the top 10 finishers at LIV events will earn points. A gracious ruling for a discriminative organization that’s failed to check all the boxes.

But instead of showing a hint of appreciation, LIV spat in the faces of OWGR’s decision makers.

“We acknowledge this long‑overdue moment of recognition, which affirms the fundamental principle that performance on the course should matter, regardless of where the competition takes place,” LIV Golf wrote in a statement.

“However, this outcome is unprecedented. Under these rules, a player finishing 11th in a LIV Golf event is treated the same as a player finishing 57th. Limiting points to only the top 10 finishers disproportionately harms players who consistently perform at a high level but finish just outside that threshold, as well as emerging talent working to establish themselves on the world stage—precisely the players a fair and meritocratic ranking system is designed to recognize.

“No other competitive tour or league in OWGR history has been subjected to such a restriction.”

The lack of self-awareness is dumbfounding.

LIV has failed to create a product worthy of ranking points, it was given them anyway, and is now demanding to be held in the same regard as the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, and other organizations who have fulfilled the OWGR's requirements.

The Saudi-backed league says “the game deserves transparency, the fans deserve credibility, and the players deserve a system that treats them equally,” but in reality, this unquenchable desire to belong is a result of unsatisfied egos.

A truly disgusting response that reflects the true colors of the people in charge on the other side of the aisle.