Bryson DeChambeau Proposes Major Qualifying System for LIV Golfers

After it was announced that LIV Golf would not receive world ranking points, DeChambeau suggested a way to keep LIV players in the major championships.

In response to the Official World Golf Ranking’s decision to deny LIV Golf world ranking points, Bryson DeChambeau has proposed a system to keep LIV members in the major championships. 

Speaking from LIV’s final regular season event in Jeddah, DeChambeau reaffirmed his initial reaction to the OWGR’s announcement, adding that the organization’s decision is “sad” and LIV players must “find another way” to earn spots into the four majors. 

According to former U.S. Open champion, the top 12 golfers on LIV’s season-long points list should qualify for the major championships. 

“I think at this point in time now that they’re not allowing it, we would love to find another way to be integrated into the major championship system since I think we have some of the best players in the world,” DeChambeau said. “Top 12 on the list, the money list, at the end of the year or the points list at the end of the year, would be I think obvious for the major championships to host the best players in the world at those four events each year.”

On Tuesday, DeChambeau provided an initial statement to Flushing It Golf (@flushingitgolf on Twitter) with the same proposal: “To be frank, giving us spots based on how we finish during the season should be the answer. Top 12 would be a perfect way to restore what once was.” 

Bryson DeChambeau has dropped more than 100 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking since joining LIV Golf :: John Smolek/Icon Sportswire

Aside from exemptions for past champions or previous major winners, world rankings are primarily used to determine the fields for golf’s four major championships. For example, the top 50 players in the world rankings as of Jan. 1 qualify for the 2024 Masters. 

With LIV Golf events not receiving world ranking points and LIV players not permitted to compete on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour, the members of the Saudi-backed tour have been steadily plummeting in the standings, outside of qualifying range. 

The OWGR Board Committee, which determined that LIV Golf would not be eligible for ranking points, included representatives from each of the four major championships.

Peter Dawson, the chairman of the committee, addressed a letter to LIV Golf’s CEO, Greg Norman and COO, Gary Davidson explaining the decision. 

“Under our current Handbook, the Board Committee has not found what it believes is a fair and equitable way to assess the performance of players at LIV events relative to players playing on OWGR Eligible Tours,” the letter stated. 

LIV’s team format and lack of player turnover were ultimately the factors that lead to such a conclusion. 

“It’s honestly sad that they’ve done that, and people are going to say that it’s sad that we came over here, but it’s like, look, this is an amazing opportunity for every one of us,” DeChambeau added. 

LIV’s Jeddah event begins Friday at 12:15 p.m. local time.