Trevor Immelman has given an update on when or if we might expect to see LIV Golf join the Official World Golf Rankings after being denied in 2023
Trevor Immelman reveals possible next moves for LIV Golf(Image: Getty Images)
LIV Golf is working tirelessly to earn their spot in the Official World Golf Rankings, a move that would greatly benefit their players and move them one step closer to legitimacy.
Trevor Immelman, the chairman of the Official World Golf Rankings says he has been in consistent contact with the newly initiated CEO of LIV Golf, Scott O’Neil. The board is trying to work through the issues of how the Saudi-funded circuit runs logistically as they compete with the PGA and DP World Tours.
LIV Golf has not earned themselves world ranking points since they launched in 2022 after originally being denied their first application. Only six of their current players are the top-100 in the world because of the exclusivity, as they can only earn points from majors or events on the Asian and European Tour.
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The first application was denied in October 2023 and O’Neil reapplied after he replaced Greg Norman in January 2025.
“We’ve been all working hard together, trying to get answers, trying to figure out what they want to do,” Immelman said. “They’re trying to figure out how their league is going to be evolving. They’ve decided to go to 72 holes. They’re going to be growing their field a little bit, it appears, from what I’ve been told, and could possibly want to grow even further.
“It’s a very collaborative process right now between Scott and I and our board to figure it out.”
The LIV Golf season begins in February and when asked if it could be resolved by then, Immelman replied, “I think there’s a chance.”
Scott O’Neil took over for Greg Norman in January 2025
LIV Golf has also changed their format from 54 to 72 holes and has just recently signed Laurie Canter who earned his PGA Tour card, but turned his back and headed for LIV Golf anyways because of an offer he couldn’t resist.
Luis Masaveu, a 23-year-old who was signed to the Fireballs team this year played eight LIV events, and was replaced by Josele Ballester.
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Ballester played seven Challenge Tour events in Europe without a top 10 and re-signed to LIV for next season.
“When you look at the OWGR and how it’s made up of eligible tours around the world … it’s about meritocracy,” said Immelman. “That’s one of the beauties of our sport is earning your way onto a tour, fighting to keep your job on that tour.
“And so it’s really been along those lines of working with them on understanding their league from that standpoint — meritocracy, promotion and relegation and just really at the end of the day, the self-selection aspect of how their league is made up.”
