“Major Breakthrough: LIV Golf’s Ranking Quest Takes Dramatic Turn!”

LIV Golf, in its bid to secure accreditation from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), has potentially gained ground as another 54-hole circuit within the Clutch Pro Tour secures OWGR-sanctioning, as reported on Thursday.

The Clutch Pro Tour, also recognized as the Mizuno Next Gen Series, serves as a developmental platform for professional golfers in England, acting as a feeder into the Challenge Tour, which stands one level below the DP World Tour. Despite its format consisting of 54 holes, the tour’s adherence to a 36-hole cut and pathways to other prestigious tours have led to its approval by the OWGR.

Following a rigorous 17-month-long application process aimed at meeting the stringent standards set forth to attain OWGR eligibility, the Clutch Pro Tour has finally received recognition. Effective from Week 17, ending on April 28th, 2024, the tour’s official Tier 1 tournaments will be eligible for inclusion in the OWGR ranking system. The Clutch Pro Tour facilitates access to its official tournaments through its 2024 qualifying series held in the UAE and, for its 2025 season, an annual open qualifying school.

The OWGR announcement underscored the pivotal role played by the Clutch Pro Tour within the United Kingdom, particularly in light of the closure of the EuroPro Tour. By providing continuous playing opportunities and pathways for players to advance to higher-level tours such as the European Challenge Tour and the DP World Tour, the tour has solidified its significance.

For the leadership at LIV Golf, the OWGR’s decision regarding the Clutch Pro Tour indicates that the 54-hole format alone may not pose a barrier should they decide to reapply for ranking status. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning LIV events’ absence of a cut line and their promotion and relegation process, leading to criticisms of a ‘closed shop’ roster model.

Earlier this year, LIV CEO Greg Norman expressed frustration over the OWGR system’s perceived reluctance to collaborate, stating in a letter to players, “We have made significant efforts to fight for you and ensure your accomplishments are recognized within the existing ranking system.” Norman highlighted discrepancies in the rankings, emphasizing the disproportionate rewards for play on the PGA Tour.

Despite the potential for LIV Golf events to receive points in the future, concerns remain regarding the OWGR’s structure, which could hinder players from regaining positions near the top of the rankings. Notably, the migration of LIV players to the Saudi-backed series in 2022 has coincided with a decline in their world rankings, with only a handful securing spots in prestigious tournaments like the Masters.

At this year’s Masters, a reduced contingent of LIV Golf players competed, reflecting ongoing challenges within the realm of professional golf rankings and tour dynamics.