In a seismic shift for professional golf, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) has finally granted ranking points to the LIV Golf League, effective from today’s season opener in Riyadh. This ends a years-long standoff that had seen many top stars, including Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson, tumble down the world rankings.

However, the recognition comes with strings attached: LIV has had to adjust its format to include a cut-line and a larger field size to meet the OWGR's "competitive sanctity" requirements. This move is expected to stabilize the field for upcoming Major championships, as LIV players will now have a fair path to qualify via ranking points.

Despite the breakthrough, some traditionalists on the PGA Tour remain skeptical of the merger of ranking systems. Nevertheless, the announcement has immediately boosted the prestige of the Riyadh event, with several players expressing relief that their performances will once again be reflected on the global stage.