LIV Golf received a significant boost on the eve of its fifth season after the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) board unanimously approved the Saudi-backed league to receive world ranking points for the first time. The decision takes effect immediately, beginning with LIV Golf’s season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

However, the approval comes with notable limitations. Ranking points will be awarded only to players finishing inside the top 10 and ties at LIV events. This differs from other OWGR-recognised tours, where points are distributed to a larger portion of the field. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and the league criticised the restriction, arguing it unfairly penalises players who consistently finish just outside the top 10.

LIV events will fall under OWGR’s “Small Field Tournament” category, similar to events such as the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship. With a 57-player field, a LIV tournament winner is expected to receive around 23 ranking points, roughly half of what winners earn at weaker PGA Tour events. As LIV players have lacked ranking points since the league launched in 2022, the tour’s strength of field remains lower for now.

Currently, Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau are LIV’s only players inside the top 50 of the world rankings, while Jon Rahm sits outside the top 90 despite consistent high finishes. OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman described the decision as a necessary step after a lengthy review process, emphasising the importance of maintaining fairness across all global tours.

The OWGR had previously rejected LIV’s application in 2023 due to concerns over limited promotion, relegation, and competitive access. Since then, LIV has expanded its field, increased relegation to 11 players, and committed to 72-hole events starting in 2026.

While LIV called the ruling only a “first step,” the decision is expected to gradually help its players regain access to major championships, where world ranking remains a key qualification pathway.