Official World Golf Ranking Unable to earn LIV Golf ranking points, at least in part due to limited access for players to join the league, and the demotion of poorly performing players. The circuit attempted to address half of those concerns Thursday.
LIV Golf has announced details of a ‘promotional’ event to be held at Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates from December 8th to 10th. The 72-hole event will be played over his three days, with cuts and score resets after the first two rounds.
Eligible players (list of criteria below) will be reduced to the top 20 after the first round, with players excluded from the Opening 18 (also criteria below).
After the scores are reset, the top 20 players after the second round will advance to the final day of 36 holes, and the scores will be reset again between the second and third rounds.
The top three players after 72 holes will earn LIV Golf status in 2024 and be eligible to be drafted by the team.
After the ’23 LIV season, the bottom four players who were not under contract were demoted to make room for three “promotional” event graduates. Fourth place will go to the top points scorer in the Asian Tour’s International Series, most likely Andy Ogletree, who has two wins at the circuit this year.
“Open competition and meritocracy have always been part of the fabric of LIV Golf, and following the success of our first full season of 14 events, we are excited to launch the LIV Golf Promotion and offer it to players around the world. We’re excited about this opportunity to qualify for 2024,” LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said in a statement.
OWGR’s decision not to award LIV points was based on multiple issues, including the circuit’s 54-hole format and emphasis on team performance, but lack of access was the biggest barrier to earning points.
“We need to find a way to get it done,” OWGR board chairman Peter Dawson told The Associated Press. “I hope LIV can find a solution, but it’s not a format issue. That can be addressed with formulas, but eligibility and demotion is the issue.”
The “Promotional” event has a $1.5 million cash prize with $200,000 going to the winner.
Round 1 qualifiers:
1. 2023 Walker Cup Team and Palmer Cup Team Members.
2. Winners and runners-up of the following recent amateur events:
- US Amateur Championship
- amateur championship
- Asia Pacific Amateur Championship (October 29)
- Latin American Amateur Championship
- european amateur championship
- NCAA Championship (Individual)
- Eisenhower Trophy (Individual)
3. 15 leading players in the top 40 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) as of November 20, 2023 (excluding Round 2 exempt players).
4. Lead the top 40 eligible players in the final rankings of International Series 2023 with 25 players (excluding players excluded from Round 2).
5. As of November 20, 2023, the top 5 players in each of the following Pro Tours:
- Japan Golf Tour (money ranking by major)
- KPGA Korea Tour (Genesis Point Ranking)
- sunshine tour
- PGA Tour of Australia
6. 2023 Asian Tour and 2023 Korn Ferry Tour tournament winners.
7. 30 leading players in the top 300 of the Universal Golf Ranking (TUGR) as of November 20, 2023 (excluding players exempted from Round 2).
8. Invitations to events determined by LIV Golf League.
Eligibility for a bye into Round 2:
1. Top 2 players in WAGR as of November 20, 2023.
2. Players ranked 2-8 in the final International Series 2023 rankings.
3. Lead the top 5 available players in the top 30 of the final 2023 DP World Tour and Korn Ferry Tour achievements/rankings.
4. Winners of 2022 and 2023 PGA Tour and DP World Tour sanctioned tournaments.
5. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup participants from 2019 to 2023.
6. Winners of major championships from 2019 to 2023.
7. 15 leading players in the TUGR top 150 as of November 20, 2023.
8. Players who have been demoted from the 2023 LIV Golf Final Individual Rankings or who have not signed a contract for the next season.
9. Invitations to events determined by LIV Golf League.