Fast-moving professional golfer LIV has drawn some of the best players in the game. Nevertheless, several of the league's best stars have fallen down the world ranking as a result of the league's inability to win over the OWGR.
Major repercussions have resulted from this, as players like Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, and Talor Gooch have lost their spots in prestigious competitions, such as this week's Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Since the system's establishment two years ago, the LIV arrangement has encountered multiple challenges. Greg Norman, who contends that the system benefits players on the PGA Tour over those on other circuits, informed his playing members earlier this year that they had given up on obtaining OWGR accreditation.
For those taking part in the breakaway league, though, this still poses a problem, especially in light of their important standing. To date, LIV and the four majors have not been able to come to a consensus over the prospect of a qualifying route for its members via tournaments on the Saudi-backed circuit.
For those taking part in the breakaway league, though, this still poses a problem, especially in light of their important standing. To date, LIV and the four majors have not been able to come to a consensus over the prospect of a qualifying route for its members via tournaments on the Saudi-backed circuit.
Cho has offered LIV Golf players a lifeline by speculating that the Asian Tour might serve as a doorway. He told the Mirror US at Royal Troon, "If LIV is not going to be recognized or they have withdrawn their application, there is still a path in for them by playing our tournaments."
"If there is a will, there is a way many South African players participate in DP World Tour events, and Patrick Reed traverses the globe to try to get points."
"If there is a will, there is a way many South African players participate in DP World Tour events, and Patrick Reed traverses the globe to try to get points."
Over the past year, several LIV stars have adopted this approach, hitting the Asian greens to improve their rankings and become major prospects. Players like Reed, Joaquin Niemann, David Puig, Carlos Ortiz, Pat Perez, and Louis Oosthuizen are among those who have done so.
The Spanish sensation Puig notably won the Malaysian Open in February, which earned him a ticket to this week's Open. Cho's partnership with LIV and PIF, rather than the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, has proven to be a wise choice, especially with the Asian Tour's International Series thriving. Cho made this alliance when LIV Golf first gained support from Saudi Arabia in 2022.
With the annual Order of Merit winner receiving a spot on the rebel circuit the following season, the series has extended the Tour global and given competitors an opportunity to join the lucrative LIV league.