<p>LIV Golf's CEO, Scott O'Neil. Picture: LIV Golf</p>
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has pulled his horns in when it comes to criticising the Official World Golf Rankings and said he’s “so grateful to be welcomed into the golf family officially.”
LIV Golf issued a harshly worded statement last week, claiming that a decision by the OWGR to award points only to the top 10 finishers in LIV events “disproportionately harms players who consistently perform at a high level but finish just outside that threshold.”
The statement went on to infer that LIV Golf was not being treated “equally” and stars like Jon Rahm followed up to call the top-10 restriction “unfair”.
The OWGR pointed out that it made its decision despite “the eligibility standards that LIV Golf does not currently meet and the fact that it operates differently from other ranked tours in a number of respects.”
With nine of last week’s top-10 finishers at LIV Riyadh making moves up the world rankings, and winner Elvis Smylie in with a chance of qualifying for the Masters after jumping from 134th to 77th, LIV Golf CEO O’Neil was careful not to be critical of the OWGR in Adelaide last night.
<img alt="" height="4981" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52780078e4b0782c048f31cb/9e1d3fba-4d61-48f5-8bcd-13ece9ad9694/ADE_02_11_26_MHA4290.jpg?format=1000w" width="7471" />
<p>Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC chases a football on the 12th tee during the pro-am before the start of the LIV Golf Adelaide at Grange Golf Club on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Matthew Harris/LIV Golf)</p>
“We're so grateful to be welcomed into the golf family officially,” O’Neil said. “That's first and foremost. It's very nice, especially you have a board with two -- the commissioner of the PGA Tour is on the board and the CEO of the European Tour is on the board.
“Arguably those are two that would have a bit to lose if you have a scarcity mindset, if you will, by our being recognised publicly.
“So to be able to get to that point, what a tremendous nod to what LIV Golf has built, is building, and where it's heading in the future.
He added: “For us, though, world ranking points, we're a nice recognition and a great step forward, and our focus is on making sure that as many of these young talented players that we have and these established superstars and these kind of solid-core veterans get the opportunity to play on the world's biggest stage, and that's the four majors.”
LIV Golf’s biggest star, Bryson DeChambeau, fired a six-under 66 to share the first-round lead in Adelaide with Australian Marc Leishman.
They were a shot clear of Dustin Johnson and his new 4Aces teammate Anthony Kim, who were top of the team standings with Thomas Detry (71) and Thomas Pieters (73) on 10-under.
Graeme McDowell carded a 67 that left him tied for fifth individually with Rahm, Abraham Ancer and Joaquin Niemann.
But it was a tough start for Holywood’s Tom McKibbin, who was joint 46th in the 57-man field after opening with a two-over 74.
Article Link: LIV boss softens criticism of world golf rankings - News - Irish Golf Desk