LIV Golf Golfer Still Unimpressed by the "Gift" Handed Out to the League as a 23-Year-Old Makes History
Bildnummer: 04345461 Datum: 11.03.2009 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI Silhouette von Tiger Woods (USA) während die Sonne aufgeht - PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY (Icon3690903111511); Eldrick, Vdig, quer, Aufmacher, premiumd, Symbol, Sonne, Sonnenlicht, Sonnenschein, Gegenlicht, Sunrise, Sonnenaufgang, Sunset, Sundown, Sonnenuntergang, Morgengrauen, Golfer, Golfspieler, WGC CA Championship 2009, PGA Tour, Training Doral / Miami Golf Herren Einzel Gruppenbild Aktion Werbemotiv Personen Image number 04345461 date 11 03 2009 Copyright imago Icon Smi Silhouette from Tiger Woods USA during The Sun concurrently PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Eldrick Vdig horizontal Highlight premiumd symbol Sun Sunlight Sunshine Gegenlicht Sunrise Sunrise Sunset Sundown Sunset Dawn Golfers Golfer WGC Approx Championship 2009 PGA Tour Training Doral Miami Golf men Singles Group photo Action shot Highlight Human Beings
Bildnummer: 04345461 Datum: 11.03.2009 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI Silhouette von Tiger Woods (USA) während die Sonne aufgeht - PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY (Icon3690903111511); Eldrick, Vdig, quer, Aufmacher, premiumd, Symbol, Sonne, Sonnenlicht, Sonnenschein, Gegenlicht, Sunrise, Sonnenaufgang, Sunset, Sundown, Sonnenuntergang, Morgengrauen, Golfer, Golfspieler, WGC CA Championship 2009, PGA Tour, Training Doral / Miami Golf Herren Einzel Gruppenbild Aktion Werbemotiv Personen Image number 04345461 date 11 03 2009 Copyright imago Icon Smi Silhouette from Tiger Woods USA during The Sun concurrently PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Eldrick Vdig horizontal Highlight premiumd symbol Sun Sunlight Sunshine Gegenlicht Sunrise Sunrise Sunset Sundown Sunset Dawn Golfers Golfer WGC Approx Championship 2009 PGA Tour Training Doral Miami Golf men Singles Group photo Action shot Highlight Human Beings
LIV Golf's Ripper GC team member, Elvis Smylie, became the first player to win a LIV event and collect OWGR points, but not everyone's celebrating.
Smylie earned the feat after capturing the league's season-opening tournament in Riyadh. The victory pushed Smylie to a career-best No. 78 in the world rankings. Yet, Lee Westwood isn't buying the hype.
Despite LIV's long-awaited inclusion into golf's ranking system, the Englishman took to X on February 8 and stated, "You’re very good on the @OWGRltd. You should run a few projections to help people see what a good season on Liv will look like in a year's time. I have my own opinion."
Smylie's win marks a turning point for LIV.
The Australian is the first player to earn OWGR points in LIV history. His rise from outside the top 100 to No. 78 shows the points do matter for players chasing major championship spots.
Jon Rahm’s move up to world No. 68 also proves that LIV events can help improve rankings. Since joining LIV in December 2023, the two-time major winner has been trying to rebuild his position.
However, there’s a downside. LIV spent almost three years fighting for OWGR recognition, but now that points count in 2026, only a few players earn them, raising doubts about how useful the system really is.
Jon Rahm calls for fair treatment in LIV Golf's OWGR Points Deal
Jon Rahm is happy that LIV Golf is now part of the world rankings, but he believes the system is still unfair.
The Spanish golfer said he is glad LIV players can finally earn ranking points, but added that the system still needs changes. He pointed out that LIV does not receive the same treatment as other golf tours, especially because only the top 10 players earn points in each event.
Rahm said, "I think there's room for improvement, whatever that may look like. I would just like to see us get treated the same way that every other tour gets treated, right? Because I don't know any other event where only the top 10 get points like that."
He believes LIV should be treated more fairly because its format is different. Rahm, a former world No. 1 now ranked 68th, sees this as progress but says it’s still not enough.
Follow Club Golf for more.
Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Souvik Roy