LIV Golf Players Face Race Against Time to Boost OWGR Rankings at Asian Tour’s International Series

The countdown to the 2024 Masters is well underway, with players eagerly competing for a place in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) top 50. As we approach the first major championship of the year, the scramble to secure a spot at Augusta National intensifies.

While PGA Tour players have seven more events and the DP World Tour has five events left to earn valuable OWGR points, LIV Golf players are running out of time to boost their rankings. In a bid to gain points, 21 out of the 54 current LIV Golf players, who are part of the league led by Greg Norman and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, are participating in the Asian Tour’s first International Series event in Oman.

The International Series, which comprises 10 events funded by LIV Golf, offers comparatively lesser prize money than LIV events but awards OWGR points. LIV Golf has faced challenges in obtaining OWGR points, despite its efforts, including the MENA Tour alliance. Consequently, LIV players have seen a decline in their rankings over the past two years, with the likes of Patrick Reed (100th), Bryson DeChambeau (169th), and Dustin Johnson (238th) suffering notable drops.

Among the 21 LIV players participating in the Oman event, only three are presently placed within the top 100 of the OWGR. Lucas Herbert is at 80th, Joaquin Niemann follows closely at 81st, and Dean Burmester stands at 95th.

“I think I have a different mindset for this year,” said Niemann after his win at LIV’s season opener in Mexico. “It kind of hurt me a little bit not being in the majors, and I think also helped me to get motivation to kind of earn my spot back into the majors.”

Niemann and Burmester qualified for the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon through their wins in the Open Qualifying Series at the end of 2023. However, securing an invitation to compete at Augusta may prove to be a challenging feat. With three LIV events taking place in the next seven weeks leading up to the Masters—Jeddah, Hong Kong, and Miami—a top-50 push for the Masters is not impossible but quite improbable.

While the U.S. Open and the Open Championship provide exemptions for the top 60 and top 50 players in the OWGR, respectively, the PGA Championship often offers special exemptions to players within the top 100 who do not qualify through a specified category.

This week’s event in Oman marks the commencement of a busy year for LIV players who have not yet secured their spots in the majors.

LIV players in the International Series Oman field

Player	Current OWGR Ranking
Lucas Herbert	80
Joaquin Niemann	81
Dean Burmester	95
Louis Oosthuizen	137
David Puig	141
Mito Pereira	154
Abraham Ancer	165
Anirban Lahiri	309
Charl Schwartzel	329
Matt Jones	395
Eugenio Chacarra	411
Scott Vincent	413
Kieran Vincent	422
Sebastian Munoz	428
Jinichiro Kozuma	522
Peter Uihlein	629
Danny Lee	643
Branden Grace	715
Matthew Wolff	1,113
Carlos Ortiz	1,286
Hudson Swafford	1,786

Frequently Asked Questions

What is LIV Golf?

LIV Golf is a league led by Greg Norman and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. It aims to attract top golfing talent from around the world.

How do LIV Golf players earn OWGR points?

While LIV Golf events do not offer OWGR points, the league’s players can earn points by participating in the Asian Tour’s International Series events, which are funded by LIV Golf.

What is the significance of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR)?

The OWGR is a ranking system that determines the positions of professional golfers worldwide based on their performance in recognized tournaments. It plays a major role in determining eligibility for prestigious events like the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship.

How many events are in the International Series?

The International Series comprises 10 events, providing opportunities for LIV Golf players to earn OWGR points and enhance their rankings.

Are LIV Golf players struggling in the OWGR rankings?

Yes, despite their talent and achievements, LIV Golf players have faced challenges in obtaining OWGR points, leading to a decline in their rankings over the past two years.

Can LIV Golf players qualify for the Masters?

LIV Golf players can qualify for the Masters by securing a spot within the OWGR top 50 the week before the event at Augusta National. However, as the tournament approaches, the window of opportunity is narrowing.

This article provides an insight into the fierce competition among LIV Golf players in their quest for OWGR points at the Asian Tour’s International Series event in Oman. With the Masters fast approaching, opportunities to secure a coveted spot in the event are diminishing. As the season unfolds, LIV players are determined to showcase their talent and motivation to earn their place in golf’s most prestigious tournaments.

As LIV Golf players compete for OWGR points at the Asian Tour event in Oman, their chances of qualifying for the 2024 Masters are dwindling. With only three players in the top 100, the league’s efforts to obtain OWGR points have faced challenges. However, with the start of the International Series and the upcoming LIV events, LIV players have a chance to boost their rankings and secure a spot in the major championships. This article provides an overview of the current standings and the significance of the Official World Golf Ranking for LIV Golf players.