LIV Golf stars get huge OWGR lifeline after Sergio Garcia snubbed as Tour chief speaks out

Greg Norman (Image: Getty Images)

Asian Tour CEO Cho Minn Thant has urged LIV Golf players who are keen to earn points in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) to do so on the Asian circuit.

LIV's ascent in professional golf has been swift, attracting some of the sport's top talent. However, the league's inability to gain recognition from the OWGR has seen some of its biggest stars slide down the world list.

This has had major consequences, with golfers like Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Talor Gooch losing their places in flagship events, including this week's Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The LIV setup has faced numerous setbacks from the ranking system since it was established two years ago. In the meantime, Greg Norman told his playing members earlier this year that they had abandoned efforts to secure OWGR accreditation, with Norman arguing that the system favours those competing on the PGA Tour over other circuits.

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However, this still presents a challenge for those participating in the breakaway league, particularly regarding their major status. As of now, LIV has yet to reach any kind of agreement with the four majors about the possibility of a pathway for its members to qualify through events on the Saudi-backed circuit.

Cho Minn Thant is in charge of the Asian Tour (Image: Getty Images)

Cho has thrown a lifeline to LIV Golf players, suggesting the Asian Tour could be their gateway. "If LIV is not going to be recognized or they've withdrawn their application there is still a way in for them by playing our tournaments," he revealed to the Mirror US at Royal Troon.

"A lot of the South African players are playing DP World Tour events, Patrick Reed travels all around the world to try and get points, so if there is a will there's a way."

This pathway has been embraced by several LIV stars over the past year, with players like Reed, Joaquin Niemann, David Puig, Carlos Ortiz, Pat Perez and Louis Oosthuizen hitting the Asian greens to boost their rankings and major prospects.

Spanish prodigy Puig notably secured his spot in this week's Open by triumphing at the Malaysian Open in February. When LIV Golf emerged with Saudi backing in 2022, Cho's alliance with LIV and PIF, as opposed to siding with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, has proven to be a shrewd move, especially with the Asian Tour's International Series flourishing.

The series has taken the Tour global and offers participants a shot at joining the lucrative LIV league, with the annual Order of Merit winner earning a place on the rebel circuit the next season.

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The LIV Golf players have found a lifeline in the Asian Tour's International Series, which has been providing crucial OWGR points amidst their own league's ranking debacle.

"It has obviously elevated the Asian Tour leaps and bounds," remarked Cho on the impact of the International Series. "We had 10 events last year, and 10 events this year. The plan is to keep 10 events on the International Series for the foreseeable future."

Fans in the UK can look forward to the series arriving next month, with the International Series England set to tee off at Foxhills Golf Club in Surrey.

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LIV Golf stars get huge OWGR lifeline after Sergio Garcia snubbed as Tour chief speaks out

LIV Golf stars get huge OWGR lifeline after Sergio Garcia snubbed as Tour chief speaks out

LIV Golf stars get huge OWGR lifeline after Sergio Garcia snubbed as Tour chief speaks out

LIV Golf stars get huge OWGR lifeline after Sergio Garcia snubbed as Tour chief speaks out

LIV Golf stars get huge OWGR lifeline after Sergio Garcia snubbed as Tour chief speaks out