I have some advice for LIV Golf…
LIV Golf must stop complaining and get to work if it is to earn world ranking points, in the eyes of NCG’s Matt Chivers…
There was a time when I didn’t have the credentials to become a journalist.
Some would say I still don’t.
I set about getting those credentials by completing an NCTJ course, but as part of this course, I had to do exams.
To get where I needed to be, I managed to pass these exams with some retakes along the way.
In short, there were criteria to meet in order to obtain the qualification which I eventually achieved.
If you apply for a job and you don’t have the right qualifications, how can you expect to get a ‘yes’?
This is no different to LIV Golf’s pursuit of Official World Golf Ranking points.
LIV has been told the simultaneous team and individual formats are an issue, citing an example of Sebastian Munoz being deliberately tentative over a putt at LIV Golf Orlando when at risk of jeopardising his team’s chances.
The league has also been told its “mostly-closed style fashion” is another sticking point. It must have a pathway to the circuit consistent with “fairness and meritocracy.”
The rejection isn’t personal or the result of a vendetta. LIV Golf isn’t eligible for OWGR points in its current form.
So instead of publicly criticising the organisation that you need onside, why not work to get the right qualifications?
Cameron Smith has said the OWGR system is “almost obsolete,” Dustin Johnson described them as “skewed” and Patrick Reed labelled it “broken.”
One of LIV’s analysts Jerry Foltz has since called them “PGA Tour rankings” as 48 out of the top 50 in the world are members of the tour.
The visuals of this admittedly don’t reflect well on the Board Committee and with players such as the ones named above not receiving ranking points, you could definitely argue they don’t accurately reflect the best players.
But this is because LIV Golf doesn’t tick enough boxes. It’s as simple as that.
Make the required adjustments, then the OWGR will double-stamp it. That is the bottom line that a number of LIV players and broadcasters don’t understand.
We know that DJ shouldn’t be ranked outside of the top 100, but if all you play in is unranked events, this is what will happen.
So I have some advice for LIV Golf: Stop complaining and do as you’re told.
What do you make of the OWGR LIV Golf situation? How long will people ask ‘Does LIV Golf have world ranking points?’ Tell us on X!
Now read: LIV Golf set to land on new UK host venue
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, 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 Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some 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: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
