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How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?

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Matt Chivers keeps you up to speed with the defectors’ progress in the OWGR now that LIV has been granted ranking points

Jon Rahm at a LIV Golf event | Source: LIV Golf

With the LIV Golf world golf rankings points debacle being a large talking point from the breakaway league, we track just how far each defector has fallen in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).

LIV Golf world rankings

While the list of players defecting to LIV Golf has produced an endless amount of controversy in the last four years, one of the biggest issues facing the league’s rebels is their plummeting positions in the OWGR.

The top 50 or so players in the world can reap many benefits, including exemptions to major championships. Players must receive OWGR points with the majors at the heart of the sport.

‘Is there LIV Golf world rankings peace yet?’ I hear you ask.

The Greg Norman-led series did not initially receive OWGR accreditation, meaning players were unable to collect world ranking points for playing in the LIV Golf events.

The likes of Cameron Smith and Jon Rahm, number two and three in the world when they joined LIV, have both plummeted in the rankings, alongside many of their compatriots.

On Tuesday, October 10 2024, the OWGR announced that LIV Golf’s application to gain world ranking legitimacy had been rejected.

The OWGR board detailed the modifications that LIV Golf should make to have a chance of a successful re-application.

However, on February 3, 2026, the OWGR board announced that LIV would receive points – a significant milestone in the league’s short history. The top finishers in each individual leaderboard can now earn points and climb the rankings. This has led to a small number of LIV golfers increasing their ranking since defecting to the league.

So, which players have played well enough since to rise in the OWGR? Are some stars still plummeting? Let’s take a look…

ALSO: If Bryson DeChambeau doesn’t make you watch LIV Golf, no one will

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LIV Golf rankings (As of September 17)

PlayerPre-LIV rankingCurrent rankingDifference
Cameron Smith2139-137
Jon Rahm314-11
Dustin Johnson13242-229
Joaquin Niemann1937-18
Louis Oosthuizen20481-461
Abraham Ancer20202-182
Paul Casey27302-285
Adrian Meronk39561-522
Lucas Herbert6751+16
Tyrrell Hatton1625-9
Bryson DeChambeau2936-7
Jason Kokrak32736-704
Talor Gooch35384-349
Harold Varner III42237-195
Sergio Garcia54136-82
Cameron Tringale55714-659
Marc Leishman63253-190
Richard Bland66583-517
Graeme McDowell3741079-705
Phil Mickelson711764-1693
Sam Horsfield721481-1409
Lee Westwood74360-286
Matthew Wolff77523-446
Bubba Watson86405-319
Ian Poulter894998-4909
Anirban Lahiri91656-565
Brendan Steele122712-590
Branden Grace118255-137
Thomas Pieters40284-244
Carlos Ortiz119183-64
Charl Schwartzel120718-598
Danny Lee2672415-2148
Martin Kaymer210844-634
Peter Uihlein311224+87
Sebastian Munoz93616-523
Dean Burmester83194-111
David Puig183579+1756
Tom McKibbin106116-10
Thomas Detry6288-26
Victor Perez149165-16
Michael La Sasso1650291+1359
Elvis Smylie134149-15
Anthony Kim875245+630
Bryson DeChambeau at LIV Golf UK | Source: Chris Trotman/LIV Golf
Bryson DeChambeau at LIV Golf UK | Source: Chris Trotman/LIV Golf

As of now, only five LIV golfers have gained positions in the world rankings since defecting from the PGA Tour, Elvis Smylie, David Puig, Anthony Kim, Lucas Herbert and Peter Uhlein. Smylie won the league’s debut event in Riyadh, while Uhlein made it through final qualifying for the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Herbert won LIV Golf UK at JCB country club, alongside a sixth placed finish at the Open.

Ian Poulter remains the player to have lost the most positions since joining LIV Golf. Despite an impressive debut at the US Senior Open, where he finished fourth, the Ryder Cup stalwart has lost nearly 5000 world ranking positions since his LIV debut in 2022.

Despite rising in the OWGR since LIV Golf was granted ranking points for its events in February, Jon Rahm, the league’s highest ranked golfer, has yet to re-enter the world’s top-10 as he currently sits in 14th position.

NOW READ: Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

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Surprised at the LIV Golf rankings above? Tell us on X!

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About the author

Matt Chivers
Matt Chivers

Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as the Masters, The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to many of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cleveland HiBore XL Driver driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, Benross BR-Pro irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.

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