LIV Golf members experience rise in world rankings after limited points awarded
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LIV Golf rookie Elvis Smylie of Australia rises from 133rd in the rankings to 77th after winning on his debut at LIV Golf Riyadh at Riyadh Golf Club on Feb 7.
PHOTO: EPA
NEW YORK – Several LIV Golf members enjoyed a surge in the world rankings this week, following the season-opening tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) announced last week that players in the Saudi-backed circuit would start receiving ranking points for the first time
LIV Golf rookie Elvis Smylie of Australia jumped from 134th in the rankings to 77th after winning his debut in Riyadh.
“It’s a by-product of the great work I’m doing with my team and the good golf that I’m playing,” said the 23-year-old.
“If I continue to do that, then all that stuff will take care of itself. But it’s definitely motivating for me to try to get into the Masters.”
Runner-up Jon Rahm of Spain, a former world No. 1, climbed from 97th to 67th.
Also seeing significant rises were Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz (767th to 566th), Abraham Ancer (616th to 449th) and Thomas Pieters of Belgium (564th to 419th).
OWGR points are critical for earning entries into the season’s four Major tournaments.
The top 50 the week before the Masters (rankings released on March 30) will earn entries to Augusta, as will the top 60 (May 18) ahead of the US Open and the top 50 (May 25) for the British Open.
The OWGR does not have an official exemption for the PGA Championship, where the top 100 typically are invited.
Meanwhile, Neal Shipley, making his TGL debut as a member of The Bay Golf Club, recorded the first hole-in-one in the brief two-year history of the new tech-infused golf league.
The 25-year-old aced the 110-yard par-three fifth hole, the shortest hole played in league history.
The American’s wedge shot carried 113 yards to the back of the green and drew back into the hole, setting off a wild celebration with teammates Luke Clanton and Min Woo Lee.
“This is different than any hole-in-one I’ve had before,” Shipley told ESPN during the live broadcast. “This is amazing. So cool.”
He had just made his first cut as a full-time PGA Tour member, finishing in a tie for 68th place at the Phoenix Open on Feb 8.
The Ohio State product gained notoriety in 2024, making the cut as an amateur at both the Masters and US Open.
The Bay Golf Club downed Los Angeles Golf Club 11-5 at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The match is the only competition on the slate for Week 7 of the TGL. REUTERS
