It’s been a year of measured progress and stubborn resistance for Scott O’Neil, the CEO of LIV Golf, who stepped into the controversial and high-octane world of professional golf politics just 12 months ago. Taking over from Greg Norman, O’Neil inherited a league still in its infancy but eager to stake a permanent place among the sport’s elite. Yet, as the headlines tout TV deals, surging attendance, and expanding sponsorships, one glaring disappointment still hangs heavily in the air: the elusive world ranking points.
A Year of Growth and Glitches
In a candid interview, O’Neil was quick to acknowledge the thorn in LIV Golf’s side, the continued failure to secure recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). For LIV Golf players, this means exclusion from the rankings system that governs eligibility for majors and determines standing in the broader golf world. Despite resubmitting their application in June after an initial rejection in late 2023, LIV is still waiting. It’s a limbo that weighs not only on the players but on the league’s long-term viability.
O’Neil is diplomatic but not vague. “World ranking points are still a work in progress,” he says, noting the complexity of the governing structure. With the PGA Tour, the European Tour, and all four majors under the OWGR’s umbrella, there’s no simple path forward. Trevor Immelman, now a key player in those discussions, has earned O’Neil’s respect. But even mutual admiration can’t fast-track approval.
Fines That Add Up and Don’t Go Away
The tension doesn’t end there. LIV Golf continues to spar with the DP World Tour over fines levied against players who compete in events that conflict with LIV Golf. The penalties, often over $100,000 per appearance, remain a sore point, especially since high-profile signees like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton face them head-on. LIV had been covering those fines until now, but that will stop in 2026. O’Neil is actively pushing for a resolution, calling it a top priority.
The issue traces back to an April 2023 arbitration ruling in the UK, which gave the European Tour the right to enforce its event conflict rules. While Rahm and Hatton have appealed, the situation remains unresolved, and it continues to spotlight the regulatory gray zone LIV players occupy.
The Long Game Toward Legitimacy
Meanwhile, the league pushes forward with big plans: expanding to 72-hole formats by 2026, building a broadcast presence on Fox, and shifting how players enter the league. There have been measurable wins, better attendance, bigger sponsorships, and a more structured future, but the lack of OWGR points is a missing credential no amount of press releases can fill.
In a year defined by growth, ambition, and no small amount of controversy, it’s telling that O’Neil’s first instinct when asked about disappointment wasn’t media rights or internal logistics, but recognition. For LIV Golf, legitimacy isn’t found on a balance sheet; it’s won on a leaderboard. And right now, they’re still waiting for their score to count.
