 recognition. LIV has been hosting events since last June, but all have gone ahead without the awarding of world ranking points, despite having some of the world's top players in their fields. The breakaway league's bosses have long disputed with the OWGR about sanctioning their events, but so far their efforts have been in vain. In October LIV confirmed it had formed a 'strategic alliance' with the lesser-known MENA Tour, which saw them co-sanction their events in a bid to make see them granted ranking points. But this was rejected by OWGR bosses, and LIV's application with the ranking system remains under review, with the process often lasting up to two years. This has posed a problem for many rebel players, who have seen themselves tumble down the rankings over the past 14 months. Initially their concern was making it into golf's four major events, with the rankings a key way of determining fields at the flagship championships. One man in particular who felt the brunt of this was Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who missed his first Open Championship in 25 years following his OWGR slump and failure at qualifying. Aside from the majors, LIV players now look set to miss out on the chance to represent their country at the Paris Olympics with the two highest-ranked players in the world rankings from competing nations set to make the trip to Paris next summer. But with no){kind=link}
Whilst their career earnings have trended upwards, LIV Golf stars have seen their world ranking spots trend in the opposite direction which could see them lose out on a spot at the Olympics
LIV Golf stars have encountered a new problem in regard to their gradual fall down the world rankings, with their chances of making next year’s Olympic Games set to take a hit.
Players who have made the move to the breakaway league over the past year have sung the praises of the LIV setup, but for all its plaudits there has always been one glaring problem – the Saudi-backed series’ lack of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) recognition.
LIV has been hosting events since last June, but all have gone ahead without the awarding of world ranking points, despite having some of the world’s top players in their fields. The breakaway league’s bosses have long disputed with the OWGR about sanctioning their events, but so far their efforts have been in vain.
In October LIV confirmed it had formed a ‘strategic alliance’ with the lesser-known MENA Tour, which saw them co-sanction their events in a bid to make see them granted ranking points.