LIV Golf’s hopes of finally earning Official World Golf Ranking points have taken a positive turn, with CEO Scott O’Neil saying the league is making real progress ahead of the 2026 season. O’Neil confirmed that talks with OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman have progressed in recent months and that both sides are working toward an agreement.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI, O’Neil said the discussions have been productive and that the signs are “encouraging.”

“We are working very closely with [chairman] Trevor Immelman and the board of OWGR. It’s likely that will have an impact at some point. We are having conversations with Trevor, who is doing an extraordinary and difficult job towards a solution that we hope to have in place by next season. There are a whole host of things we are talking through.”

LIV resubmitted its application in July 2025, shortly after O’Neil took over from Greg Norman. Immelman said at the time that the board is reviewing the submission carefully to ensure it meets OWGR standards.

“The OWGR Board is committed to a thorough evaluation process of all applications, and LIV’s application will be reviewed in accordance with OWGR’s criteria to ensure fairness, integrity and consistency,” Immelman said, adding that further updates will come as the review continues.

LIV has been denied twice before. Under former chairman Peter Dawson, the OWGR raised concerns about the tour’s 54-hole format, no-cut fields and closed entry system. Without ranking points many LIV Golf players have struggled to qualify for majors which rely heavily on the OWGR.

To strengthen its latest bid, LIV Golf has made a significant change. Starting next season, all events will move from 54 holes to the traditional 72-hole format. The league believes this shift brings it more in line with established tours and improves its chances of joining the world ranking system.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’ Neil says the shift also comes down to business priorities

Scott O’Neil also stressed that the switch to a 72-hole format wasn’t only about aligning with golf’s majors. He explained that the longer format also fits what sponsors and broadcast partners want. An extra day on the schedule gives LIV more television time and more space to run the concerts, DJ performances and fan activities that have become part of its events.

“Whatever we have to do to get more people invested in this great game, we’ll do it,” O’Neil said.

Even with the format changing, the name LIV will stay. O’Neil said the brand has grown beyond its original meaning. The number 54 once referred to both the ideal score of making a birdie on every hole and the number of holes in a LIV event, but he believes the brand now represents much more than the number itself.