LIV Golf is forming a strategic alliance with the little-known MENA Tour in hopes of securing Official World Golf Ranking points for its players, a LIV Golf official confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.
The MENA Tour, a feeder circuit that has staged tournaments in the Middle East and North Africa, had been shuttered for more than two years during the COVID-19 pandemic before staging a tournament in May.
Founded by the Dubai-based Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation in 2011, the MENA Tour was recognized by the OWGR governing board in May 2016.
LIV Golf is expected to announce the alliance Wednesday. The partnership was first reported by The Telegraph of London. Sources told ESPN on Wednesday that LIV Golf officials are hoping for confirmation from the OWGR governing board that its players will receive world ranking points before the start of its first event in Asia, which begins Friday at Stonehill Golf Club outside Bangkok.