What’s on this Week: LIV Golf 2026 tees off in Florida amid OWGR ranking debate

As the New Year gets underway, the third edition of LIV Golf Promotions tees off from 8–11 January 2026 at Black Diamond Ranch, Florida, promising an exciting start to the 2026 season and a bright year ahead for players chasing life-changing opportunities.

LIV Golf has increased the stakes this year, offering three qualifying spots for 2026, a potentially life-changing opportunity for participants, up from just one spot at last season’s event in Saudi Arabia. A full field of 87 players will compete over four days, with regular-season fields also expanded from 54 to 57 players.

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These changes are part of LIV Golf’s ongoing drive to create pathways toward achieving Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, a goal that remains a central talking point for the league.

LIV Golf and OWGR: The Ongoing Debate

The lack of agreement between LIV Golf and the OWGR authorities continues into 2026. OWGR Chairman Trevor Immelman recently commented that most LIV Golf players are invited to participate in the league, rather than earning their way through traditional tour performance, unlike the 24 existing tours that currently contribute to OWGR rankings.

Recent adjustments, including a shift to 72-hole tournaments, have done little to sway OWGR authorities. Many tours in the OWGR ecosystem, such as South Africa’s Big Easy Development Tour and the MENA Golf Tour, already play 54-hole events. The change appears more symbolic, aligning LIV Golf events with major championships, which anchor the global calendar.

Path to OWGR Points Still Uncertain

When will LIV Golf gain OWGR points? The league’s original application was denied in late 2023, citing issues like shotgun starts, player turnover, team competition formats, and unclear pathways. Since Scott O’Neil’s appointment as CEO, the application has been resubmitted, and discussions are ongoing.

Immelman emphasises that the OWGR’s role is to honour meritocracy in professional golf and that all applications, including LIV Golf’s, are reviewed with fairness, integrity, and consistency.

While some top golfers’ world rankings have dropped since joining LIV Golf, the league’s growing mix of young, ambitious players could still have implications for the broader game. OWGR recognition would ensure that emerging talent’s performances are properly acknowledged on the global stage.

The 2026 LIV Golf season officially tees off at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia from 4–7 February 2026, following the Florida Promotions event. With OWGR discussions ongoing, the first months of the season will be closely watched by players, fans, and tour authorities alike.