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yesterday

LIV Players Climb as OWGR Starts Awarding Points Under Top-10 Limit

The new allocation immediately changes major-qualification math, with the March 30 Masters cutoff now in sharper focus for LIV contenders.

Golf - LIV Golf - Riyadh - Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - February 7, 2026 Legion XIII's Jon Rahm lines up a putt on the 18th hold during the final round REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Golf - LIV Golf - Riyadh - Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - February 7, 2026 Ripper GC's Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman and Elvis Smylie celebrate after winning the final round REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
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Golf - LIV Golf - Riyadh - Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - February 6, 2026 Fireballs GC's Sergio Garcia in action during the third round REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Overview

  • The Official World Golf Ranking is now granting points for LIV Golf events classified as small fields, limiting awards to the top 10 finishers and ties beginning with the season opener in Riyadh.
  • Elvis Smylie vaulted from 133rd to 77th after winning his LIV debut in Saudi Arabia, while Jon Rahm rose to 67th and others such as Sebastian Munoz, Abraham Ancer and Thomas Pieters also advanced.
  • Because OWGR standings determine entries, players are targeting the top‑50 ranking published March 30 that secures a Masters invitation.
  • LIV players and officials, including Rahm and Sergio Garcia, argue the top‑10 cap is inequitable and note that finishing 11th counts as a zero that can depress a player’s ranking average.
  • LIV shifted to 72‑hole events this season to meet ranking criteria, and CEO Scott O’Neil called the ruling a “nice nod” while prioritizing major access; the 2027 LIV Adelaide event is slated for Kooyonga Golf Club.