LIV Golf wave the white flag and admit defeat as Greg Norman makes one final plea in private letter

LIV Golf wave the white flag and admit defeat as Greg Norman makes one final plea in private letter

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 05/03/2024

- 15:05

Updated: 05/03/2024

- 16:59

LIV Golf have been battling to be recognised by the Official World Golf Rankings since it was established two years ago.

The Saudi-backed league first applied for accreditation with the OWGR two years ago and their application was formally denied last October.

OWGR cited LIV's lack of promotion and relegation at the end of the season for not granting LIV Golf status on the world rankings.


OWGR cited LIV's lack of promotion and relegation at the end of the season for not granting LIV Golf status on the world rankings.

In that time, some of the game's best players have slipped down the world rankings to the point they're reliant on special invites for certain tournaments.

Greg Norman sent a letter to LIV players this week

Greg Norman sent a letter to LIV players this week

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Joaquin Niemann had to rely on an invite from Augusta National to play in The Masters next month.

Bryson DeChambeau has slipped all the way down to 182nd in the world while two-time major champion Dustin Johnson has fallen to 266th.

Norman has now given up hope of a breakthrough with OWGR and wrote in a letter to LIV players that "a resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists.

"We have made significant efforts to fight for you and ensure your accomplishments are recognized within the existing ranking system. Unfortunately, OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”

He added: “The rankings are structured to penalise anyone who has not played regularly on an 'Eligible Tour' with the field ratings disproportionately rewarding play on the PGA Tour,” Norman added.

“This is illustrated by the fact only four players inside the top 50 are not PGA Tour players (Jon Rahm (3), Tyrrell Hatton (17), Brooks Koepka (30) and Cam Smith (45)) and by the precipitous decline of LIV players generally, notwithstanding extraordinary performances in LIV events.

“Even if LIV Golf events were immediately awarded points, the OWGR system is designed such that it would be functionally impossible for you to regain positions close to the summit of the ranking, where so many of you belong.”

Norman wants to see an independent ranking system be used to include LIV Golf players in the future.

But the two-time Open champion has promised to continue “to seek meaningful communication and relationships with each of the Majors to ensure that LIV Golfers are fairly represented and golf fans around the world have opportunities to see the best competition possible.”

Greg Norman wants the system to change

Greg Norman wants the system to change

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LIV Golf players have regularly hit out at the OWGR system with DeChambeau calling on his fellow competitors to give them no other option by continuing to perform well at the four majors.

“I have words that I would love to say but you can’t,” DeChambeau said last month.

“They said ‘you need certain requirements’, we have fulfilled all those requirements, despite what everybody thinks.

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Bryson DeChambeau has hit out at the OWGR

Bryson DeChambeau has hit out at the OWGR

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“If you go look at their handbook, we have fulfilled every single criteria.

"It’s been over two years now. What’s going on guys? It’s a bit frustrating, but nothing we can do at this moment.

“If we showcase ourselves in the major championships there’s no way they can keep us out. We just got to play well in the majors and once we do, they have no choice.”

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