Immelman working to contain LIV Golf in rankings

ORLANDO, Fla. — Trevor Immelman stated Friday that he’s in fixed contact with the CEO of LIV Golf in his position as chairman of the Official World Golf Rating because the board tries to work by way of points that embody how the Saudi-funded circuit populates its 54-man league.

LIV Golf has not obtained world rating factors because it launched in June 2022, and solely six of its gamers are among the many prime 100 on this planet from factors earned in majors or occasions on the Asian Tour or European tour.

LIV’s first software to be a part of the OWGR system was rejected in October 2023. It filed a brand new software final summer time beneath Scott O’Neil, the chief government officer employed to switch Greg Norman.

Immelman, a former Masters champion and now a CBS golf analyst, took over as OWGR champion in April. He stated he speaks commonly with O’Neil and even texted with him throughout his pro-am Friday on the PNC Championship.

“We have been all working laborious collectively, attempting to get solutions, attempting to determine what they need to do,” Immelman stated. “They’re attempting to determine how their league goes to be evolving. They’ve determined to go to 72 holes. They are going to be rising their area somewhat bit, it seems, from what I have been advised, and will probably need to develop even additional.

“It is a very collaborative course of proper now between Scott and I and our board to determine it out.”

LIV Golf’s subsequent season begins Feb. 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. When requested if a call might be reached earlier than then, Immelman replied, “I believe there’s an opportunity.”

LIV began with 54-hole occasions with no cuts however determined to go to 72 holes for the 2026 season. Immelman stated what number of holes are performed has by no means been a giant concern.

As a substitute, he pointed towards how the 24 excursions which can be a part of the OWGR function, leaning into the idea of meritocracy.

LIV Golf lastly had some notable turnover this 12 months, with 49-year-old Henrik Stenson amongst six gamers who completed out of the highest 48 and have been relegated out of the league.

Luis Masaveu, a 23-year-old from Spain, was signed to the Fireballs group this 12 months. He performed eight LIV occasions, was changed by former U.S. Newbie champion Josele Ballester, performed seven Problem Tour occasions in Europe with no prime 10, after which was re-signed to LIV for 2026.

“Whenever you have a look at the OWGR and the way it’s made up of eligible excursions all over the world … it is about meritocracy,” Immelman stated. “That is one of many beauties of our sport, is incomes your manner onto a tour, preventing to maintain your job on that tour.

“And so it is actually been alongside these strains of working with them on understanding their league from that standpoint — meritocracy, promotion and relegation and simply actually on the finish of the day, the self-selection side of how their league is made up.”

Immelman doesn’t have a vote as chairman. He stated the seven-member board decides on excursions becoming a member of the OWGR. In contrast to the final vote, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and European tour CEO Man Kinnings have a say. They have been recused from the earlier OWGR dialogue involving LIV, partly as a result of there was ongoing litigation throughout these conferences.

The opposite board members symbolize Augusta Nationwide, The R&A, the USGA, PGA of America and different excursions.

LIV Golf lured away a number of prime gamers with large signing bonuses when it launched in 2022 and it has been seen as a closed store. Just one participant made it into the league from a promotions occasion for this season. For 2026, two gamers have been taken from the Asian Tour Worldwide Sequence and two extra will get spots by way of LIV’s model of Q-school subsequent month.

It additionally has signed Victor Perez of France and Laurie Canter of England for subsequent season.

“If a selected league desires to get factors, we have now longstanding laws that each different eligible tour has abided by to be able to be a part of the OWGR,” Immelman stated. “Meritocracy is a giant side of that, the way you get promoted and relegated on and off of the tour. Actually, that is been a big a part of what I have been speaking to Scott about.”

World rating factors are seen as very important to the credibility of LIV Golf, and to assist its members get into the majors, all of which depend on the OWGR as a part of their standards. LIV gamers get rating factors solely on the majors and after they play different circuits exterior the PGA Tour, which has banned them.