There will be no ranking points awarded to LIV golfers at the Bangkok Invitational, according to OWGR
Deal with Mean, according to LIV, opened the way for ranking points. OWGR said on Monday that it is looking into the alliance.
Despite assertions to the contrary made in the public, LIV golfers competing in Thailand this weekend will not receive points toward the global rankings, which is embarrassing for the rebel circuit.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that LIV and the feeder, Middle East and North Africa Tour, had a partnership. LIV considered that to be its ultimate route to the official world ranking system (OWGR). Mena membership is available to LIV players, including Open champion Cameron Smith. The LIV Golf Thailand event at Stonehill this week will be the first to qualify for OWGR points thanks to the collaboration, which will also strengthen the Mena Tour’s growth programmes.
The main message from OWGR headquarters was “Not so fast.” Undoubtedly aware of the LIV’s use of this loophole, the OWGR board has rejected immediate rankings recognition. The Mena Tour contacted the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) on October 5, 2022, at 13:05 BST, according to the OWGR. The email included information on significant changes to the Mena Tour’s membership structure as well as a schedule of the first round of competition for the 2022–2023 season.
“OWGR observes that the first two competitions in this series resembled the Bangkok and Jeddah events in the LIV Golf Invitational Series. That was confirmed by the Mena Tour’s message, which also contained a starting field data file for the competition in Bangkok. The OWGR is now reviewing the modifications made to the Mena Tour.
In order for OWGR to complete the customary required evaluation prior to the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok (7-9 October) and LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah (14-16 October), the Mena Tour provided inadequate notice of these adjustments.
The fact that LIV had already asked for engagement in July emphasises the unpredictable character of its approach to everything OWGR. On the surface, LIV does not satisfy a few of the OWGR’s requirements. All four major tours, in addition to the PGA and DP World Tours, are represented on the OWGR board, which is presided over by Peter Dawson.
The Mena Tour’s new “Limited Field Tournaments,” which are described by the Mena Tour in its Regulations as “any Mean Tour-approved tournament, which comprises of a player field of less than 80 players,” will not be eligible for point awards until the review is complete, the OWGR statement continued. The Tour Championship, usually played over 54 holes with no cut, and regular official Mena Tour competitions played over 54 or 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes continue to be eligible for inclusion in the OWGR.
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