LIV Golf’s hopes of receiving OWGR points get big boost as CEO Scott O’Neil gives update

LIV Golf’s hopes of finally gaining Official World Golf Ranking points have taken a positive turn, with CEO Scott O’Neil saying the league is making real progress ahead of the 2026 season. O’Neil confirmed talks with OWGR president Trevor Immelman have progressed in recent months and both sides are working to reach an agreement.

talking with BBC sport ni ni ni ni ni ni naangarang tiO’Neil said the discussions have been productive and the signs are “encouraging.”

“We’re working very closely with (chairman) Trevor Immelman and the OWGR board. That’s likely to have an impact at some point. We’re having conversations with Trevor, who’s doing some extraordinary, hard work toward a solution that we hope to have in place next season. There’s a lot of things we’re talking about.”

LIV he resubmitted his application in July 2025, shortly after O’Neil took over from Greg Norman. Immelman said at the time that the board is carefully reviewing the submission to ensure it meets OWGR standards.

“The OWGR Board is committed to a thorough evaluation process for all applications, and LIV’s application will be reviewed against OWGR’s criteria to ensure fairness, integrity and consistency,” Immelman said, adding that more updates will follow as the review continues.

LIV has been denied twice before. Under former president Peter Dawson, the OWGR raised concerns about the tour’s 54-hole format, uncut courses and gated entry system. Without qualifying points, many LIV Golf players have struggled to qualify for majors that rely heavily on the OWGR.

To strengthen its latest offering, LIV Golf has made a major change. starting next seasonall events will move from 54 holes to the traditional 72 hole format. The league believes this change brings it more in line with the established tours and improves its chances of joining the world ranking system.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’ Neil says the change also comes down to business priorities

Scott O’Neil also emphasized that the switch to a 72-hole format wasn’t just about aligning with golf’s majors. He explained that the longer format also fits what sponsors and broadcast partners want. An extra day in the schedule gives LIV more TV time and more space to host the concerts, DJ performances and fan activities that have become part of its events.

“Whatever we have to do to get more people invested in this great game, we’re going to do it,” O’Neil said.

Even with the format change, the LIV name will remain. O’Neil said the brand has grown beyond its original meaning. The number 54 once referred to the ideal score of making a birdie on every hole and the number of holes in an LIV event, but he believes the mark now represents much more than the number itself.