OWGR reviewing LIV Golf alliance; no points for next 2 events

The Official World Golf Ranking governing board is reviewing LIV Golf's new alliance with the MENA Tour but said in a statement Thursday that it won't make a ruling before the start of LIV Golf's next two events, in Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

LIV Golf officials hoped its newly formed partnership with the little-known MENA Tour, a developmental circuit that has staged events in the Middle East and North Africa and has been recognized by the OWGR since 2016, would allow its players to earn world ranking points, starting with this week's LIV Golf Invitational Thailand.

In the statement, the OWGR said «the first two tournaments in this [MENA] series appeared to be the same as the LIV Golf Invitational Series tournaments in Bangkok and Jeddah. The communication from the MENA Tour included a starting field data file for the Bangkok tournament, confirming that to be the case.»

«Notice of the changes given by the MENA Tour is insufficient to allow OWGR to conduct the customary necessary review ahead of the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok (7-9 October) and LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah (14-16 October),» the OWGR statement said. «Only after a review is complete will a decision be made for awarding points to the MENA Tour's new 'Limited Field Tournaments.'»

A LIV Golf spokesperson declined comment when reached by ESPN on Thursday.

LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman has become increasingly frustrated that the OWGR has not recognized his startup circuit, which is being funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

The series has signed 12 of the top 50 players in the world rankings, including reigning Open champion Cameron Smith, the No. 3 player in the world, as well as past major winners Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson