LIV Golf will decide by the end of the year whether the Official World Golf Ranking will sanction the 54-man league for ranking points like other tours in the world of golf.
OWGR also stated that points will be reduced for 54-hole or even 36-hole events compared to standard 72-hole events.
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OWGR president Trevor Immelman said two weeks ago that one of the obstacles is that the vast majority of LIV players are invited to participate rather than earn their own money, as is the case with the other 24 tours in the OWGR system.
The latest update, issued on Wednesday, said only that the board would continue to evaluate the application submitted by the Saudi-funded LIV consortium at the end of June.
“We remain committed to OWGR’s mission, which requires respect for the meritocracy that is embedded in the professional game,” Immelman said in a statement. “As such, discussions have been regular and continue. To be clear, progress has been made but no decision has been made to share it at this time.
“As previously stated, we will continue to work closely with LIV Golf as it continues to evolve to ensure that its application is processed fairly, honestly and consistently.”
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Immelman also previously said the 54 holes played in LIV’s first four years were never a big issue. LIV’s 2026 season will be 72 holes.
The LIV season begins on February 4 in Saudi Arabia. It has always wanted to be part of the OWGR system, as all four professions have it as part of their qualification criteria.
Several OWGR tour events are scheduled for 54 holes, such as the Big Easy Development Tour in South Africa and the MENA Tour in Dubai.
OWGR said 54-hole tournaments — or those reduced to 54 holes due to weather conditions — will receive 75 percent of the original course rating and point allotment. The final 36-hole tournament will receive 50% of the original number.
The European Tour has reduced several events to 54 holes this year, such as the South African Open and the Singapore Classic.
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