Talor Gooch Sounds Alarmed as LIV Golf Keeps Compromising Its Identity
LIV Golf Andalucia - Day Three Talor Gooch of Smash GC is in action on day three of LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama in Cadiz, Spain, on July 13, 2025. Sotogrande Cadiz Spain PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xDAXxImagesx originalFilename:daximages-livgolfa250713_npRSq.jpg
LIV Golf Andalucia - Day Three Talor Gooch of Smash GC is in action on day three of LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama in Cadiz, Spain, on July 13, 2025. Sotogrande Cadiz Spain PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xDAXxImagesx originalFilename:daximages-livgolfa250713_npRSq.jpg
Starting this season, LIV Golf players will receive Official World Golf Ranking points. But it’s still far away from getting closer to traditional golf, despite bringing multiple changes. So, where should the league draw the line if it’s trying to be different from the other tours?
Talking to the press at Riyadh Golf Club, Talor Gooch stated, “We've got to continue to maintain the fabric of our character and who we are and what made us - what we started with in the beginning. I hope we don't go too far down the path of replicating everything just to appease somebody.”
To receive a nod from the OWGR, LIV Golf recently moved from 54 holes (something that was reflected in the league’s name) to the classic 72 holes. The officials expanded their promotion system and qualification events to increase player turnover. It further increased the fields from 54 to 57 players, adding three wild-card spots.
July 12, 2025, Cadiz, Cadiz, SPAIN: Talor Gooch of Smash team looks on during day two of the LIV Golf Andalucia at Golf Club Royal of Valderrama on July 12, 2025 in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20250712_zaa_a181_182 Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcherox
July 12, 2025, Cadiz, Cadiz, SPAIN: Talor Gooch of Smash team looks on during day two of the LIV Golf Andalucia at Golf Club Royal of Valderrama on July 12, 2025 in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20250712_zaa_a181_182 Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcherox
“At the end of the day, for the ranking of things, everybody knows the quality of golf that's out here. It's unfortunate that it's not recognized in the way that it should be. I just hope we don't lose ourselves in the chase for that.”
Despite the ranking, there's a big catch. Only the top 10 finishers will receive the OWGR points from the LIV Golf events. And that’s something that didn’t sit well with many, including Gooch.
Talor Gooch Shares Concerns Over OWGR’s Decision
Reflecting on the world ranking points, Gooch opined, "I don't think the right thing was done, which is not any different than what we've experienced here at LIV for the last four or five seasons now.”
"It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. But I think anybody who says that the right thing was done and the fair thing was done, I don't think they're in tune with the reality of things. Hopefully, there's some improvement there.”
And it's not just Gooch who's concerned. Even LIV Golf dropped a statement that agreed with Talor. "This outcome is unprecedented. Under these rules, a player finishing 11th in a LIV Golf event is treated the same as a player finishing 57th."
What’s your opinion on OWGR’s decision?
You can read more at Club Golf!
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar