How multiple PGA Tour players have reacted to LIV Golf potentially earning world ranking points

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LIV Golf have seemingly made a significant stride towards its players earning Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points with its move to 72 holes.

Every 2026 LIV Golf event will be 72 holes, as opposed to the 54-hole format that had previously been in place.

Tyrrell Hatton likes the 72-hole format change, although the same cannot be said of his Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy, currently playing on the PGA Tour, calling it “peculiar”.

LIV Golf tournaments are currently not recognised by the OWGR, a rule that has been in place since its inception in 2022.

LIV has since had a request for ranking points denied, with the scenario resulting in the majority of its players plummeting down the OWGR.

How many PGA Tour players have reacted to potential LIV Golf world ranking points

Sharing his take on the situation, Rex Hoggard noted on the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav: “When that announcement happened that they were trying to get ranking points about the idea that even with diminishing returns, even with four players inside the top 50, and the strength of field not being very good starting out.

“Every player I talked to, and these were players that had not gone to LIV Golf, said that if the world ranking part of the equation was not an issue, when the conversation came up over whether you join LIV Golf and take the money or stay with the establishment, that that would have changed the dynamic and the narrative dramatically for a lot of different players.

“They told me point-blank that ‘if we were to believe what Greg Norman was telling the world and telling everyone that was signing up that we will get world ranking points’, only the foolish who believed it are the ones who are snake bitten, because everyone knew it wasn’t going to be the case.

“But if somehow that becomes the case, even if you are looking long-term and thinking to yourself this is going to be a five-year process to build those points back up to the point where it makes a difference, then I think it could be meaningful.”

READ MORE: The PGA Tour criticized for making ‘stupid’ decision following on from LIV Golf’s recent announcement

Who are the highest-ranked LIV Golf players in the OWGR?

Just three LIV Golf players find themselves in the top 50 of the OWGR amid the current standoff between the two parties.

Legion XIII star Hatton leads the way for the Saudi-backed tour in 21st, closely followed by Bryson DeChambeau in 23rd.

Patrick Reed meanwhile occupies 44th spot, with the current leaderboard unsurprisingly dominated by PGA Tour players.

Other notable spots include back-to-back LIV Golf champion Jon Rahm in 71st and recent runner-up Joaquin Niemann in 122nd.

Scottie Scheffler continues his dominance at the top thanks to another superb season, followed by Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele in second and third respectively.