World Ranking Points for LIV Golf players starting in Bangkok

US stars (right to left) Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, Talor Gooch and Dustin Johnson

Bangkok, Thailand, and Dubai (October 6, 2022): The MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Tour has announced a strategic alliance which will result in LIV Golf Invitational events becoming part of and sanctioned by the MENA Tour, a Dubai-based golf tour which has been recognized by the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) since 2016. 

The alliance will boost the MENA Tour’s development programs and immediately qualify LIV Golf for OWGR points, starting with the LIV Golf Thailand event at Stonehill this week.
 
Launched in 2011, the MENA Tour delivers 54-hole events primarily across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, and currently provides a pathway for players into the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour.
 
“This is a very exciting day for the MENA Tour and our players,” said David Spencer, the MENA Tour Commissioner. “Through this alliance, our players will now have enhanced playing opportunities and stronger pathways. This is great news for the future of many young players on our Tour.”
 
“We are taking this mutually beneficial action to support the game at the developmental level and because of the importance and fairness of LIV golfers qualifying for OWGR points,” said Atul Khosla, the President and COO of LIV Golf. “We’re pleased to create pathways that give more opportunities for young players, while also giving fans rankings that include all the world’s best golfers.”
 
The final field for LIV Golf Thailand, the opening event of the 2022/23 MENA Tour season, will be submitted to OWGR by the MENA Tour ahead of play commencing on Friday when the final field rating and winners’ points are expected to be confirmed. As a result of the alliance, all LIV Golf players have joined the MENA Tour.

Phil Mickelson

The two stars of the LIV Golf Tour Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson heard the news as they were playing in the pro-am at Thailand’s latest new golf course Stonehill.

Mickelson said “I think from a player standpoint, it feels great to have everyone at LIV fighting so hard for the players and their best interests.

I think for the World Golf Rankings, this is a great way to keep its credibility, while not bringing in politics into the decision-making process. I think it's good for all parties.”

Johnson added “ Yeah, I mean, for me, I think we deserve them. I think obviously with the quality of players we have out here, the events we're having, we should have them.

I think it's fair. Obviously, the way -- I think it's very smart and strategic the way they're going about it, but hopefully they make the right decision and give us World Ranking points.”

The media asked Mickelson…Being your first time in Thailand, what's it like? Anything that stands out? Are you enjoying yourself?

“I'm very impressed with the quality of the food. I love the food. So, I have to be careful. 

I am very impressed with the golf course. This is my first exposure, first time in Thailand, and the golf course is remarkable.

Obviously, it's in incredible shape. I don't know if I've seen a golf course in this good condition. 

But it's also a wonderful design, very fun to play, great risk-reward, and I'm very glad to see such world-class architecture, design, and golf in other parts of the world and right here in Thailand.”

The two stars are taking part in LIV Golf Bangkok which takes place at Stonehill Golf Club from October 7th-9th 2022.

-- 2022-010-07