PGA of America chief encourages LIV to make rankings decision

PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague has encouraged LIV Golf bosses to submit a new application for Official World Golf Rankings points.

Sprague, who replaced Seth Waugh at the start of 2025, met with new LIV chief Scott O’Neil earlier this year, with the rankings debacle a hot topic.

And ahead of this week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, he again called on LIV to consider their position, despite offering no further insight into the pair’s discussion.

“Those were just more of an introduction to meet him,” Sprague explained at the annual PGA of America press conference.

“I had heard and read about him from many of you folks in this room. So, I met with him for the first time at Augusta just to introduce myself.

“Certainly, he’s still looking, it’s been reported lately, in Official World Golf Rankings. I sit on that board. He’s encouraged to submit an application for the board to review.

“Other than that, I have nothing else to report.”

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Following its disruptive inception in 2022, the Saudi-backed LIV league applied to be recognised by the global rankings body.

But former chief Greg Norman withdrew its bid for the elusive points last year, citing “a resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists.”

It was recently reported that the league was close to making a significant breakthrough, however, Trevor Immelman – head of the OWGR – board insisted that wasn’t the case.

“I have enjoyed getting to know Scott O’Neil over the last few months,” the South African told Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press.

“We’ve spoken on the phone a couple of times. We met in person at the Masters, just really introduction stuff. We’re in the same position we have been without any application from their side.

“The ball is in their court.”

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Meanwhile, Chief Championship Officer Kerry Haigh explained the body’s decision to extend several special invitations to LIV golfers this week.

He said it was a representation of having a global lineup which boasts the world’s best players.

“Just as we have for many years, we look at every tour that’s playing worldwide golf and try and identify the best players from those respective tours,” he said.

“When we do that, we certainly look at points list or money lists or rankings and identify who we think are the better players.

“The committee meets and talks about whether or not we should offer them invites, which is why I think through that process we were able to get worldwide players from various tours.

“We use the Federation rankings, the top four from the Federation rankings are playing this week, as well as LIV, as well as the other countries. It’s a worldwide field.

“That’s why we feel it’s the strongest field in golf because of that process where we look at all the different tours and try and include and invite those best players.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.