In order to get official world golf ranking points for its players, LIV Golf is forming an alliance with the little known MENA Tour.
The MENA Tour, which has staged tournaments in the Middle East and North Africa, was shut down for more than two years due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation founded the MENA Tour in 2011.
The MENA Tour said in a news release on Wednesday that the alliance will boost the tour's development programs and immediately qualify LIV Golf for OWGR points.
The commissioner of the MENA Tour said that this is an exciting day for the tour. Our players will have better playing opportunities as a result of this alliance. It's great news for the future of our Tour.
The partnership allows all LIV golfers to become members of the MENA Tour. The purses of the events in the Middle East and North Africa are tens of thousands of dollars.
The president and COO of LIV Golf said that the action was taken to support the game at the developmental level and because of the importance and fairness of LIV golfers. We're happy to create pathways that give more opportunities for young players, while also giving fans rankings that include all the world's best golfers.
Greg Norman, the CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, has become increasingly frustrated that his startup circuit, which is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has not been recognized by the OWGR board.
There are 12 of the top 50 players in the world in the fields of LIV Golf. The chances of competing for a major championship without previously earned exemptions were jeopardized by the lack of OWGR points in the first five events.
Norman wrote that the new circuit should be given world ranking points for its events in the very near future.
The inclusion of LIV Golf in the world ranking points system is necessary for the integrity, accuracy and fairness of the rankings, according to a letter obtained by the sports network. The OWGR Technical Committee discussed the application from LIV Golf during the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrew.
The integrity and accuracy of the rankings are at risk if LIV is not included. "We trust that the members of the Governing Board of OWGR will understand and appreciate this key consideration, and that they will treat this development with the respect it deserves and consistent with their responsibilities as directors of the Official World Golf Rankings."
One of the eight members of the OWGR board of governors is the commissioner of the PGA Tour. Other members include the USGA CEO Mike Whan, the R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers, the PGA of America executive director and the International Federation ofPGA Tours.
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