Over A Third Of Current LIV Golfers Set To Compete In International Series Oman As Race For Major Spots Intensifies
21 LIV Golf League members are scheduled to play in the International Series Oman on the Asian Tour this week
Over a third of current LIV Golf League members are set to tee it up at the International Series Oman on the Asian Tour later this week.
All International Series events are supported by the same group that backs LIV - the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund - and there are 21 players who belong to a LIV team - or are competing as a wildcard this season - in the International Series Oman field, with two complete sides also using the week as a kind of team-building exercise.
Both Torque GC - made up of South American stars Joaquin Niemann, Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira and Carlos Ortiz - and Stinger GC - which consists of South African quartet Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester - are part of the second Asian Tour tournament this year, which takes place a week before LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
But there is another huge reason why so many LIV players are heading to Oman before hopping across the Arabian peninsula, and it is not due to the fact that some players reportedly have it written into their contracts that they must play a handful of Asian Tour events per season.
The competition at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat is the first of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar which not only offers an increased prize purse - in this case, $2 million - but also the much sought after world-ranking points that can help LIV players reach the Majors. Victory in Oman should see the winner land around 15 OWGR points.
The LIV Golf League is still without world-ranking points and has seen some of its most in-form players slide down the OWGR list despite winning non-LIV tournaments. Burmester and Oosthuizen have both won twice on the DP World Tour already this campaign, while Niemann has a victory on both LIV and the European Tour.
Burmester finished 2023 in 72nd place on the OWGR but is now clinging on to a top-100 spot in 95th, Oosthuizen was 129th on December 31 but is currently 137th, while Niemann ended 2023 in 65th on the OWGR but has slipped down to 81st. Lucas Herbert (80th) is the top-ranked LIV player in the International Series Oman field and only the third LIV golfer teeing it up in Muscat inside the world's top-100.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
In a bid to recover a top-50 spot, which would book their place at all four Major championships - if they are not already exempt - almost 40% of LIV's current players are expanding their schedule, starting with this week.
Playing extra tournaments is likely to be frustrating for some LIV players, as thinning down their playing time was a reason many cited as one of the key factors behind their departure from the PGA Tour in the first place.
Following his victory at LIV Golf Mayakoba recently, Niemann's instant reaction to questions on his success was to point out that he is not in all of the Majors - although he has qualified for The Open Championship. Meanwhile, LIV analyst Jerry Foltz argued that the biggest competitions are dangerously close to being "asterisk Majors" if they don't involve the best players.
The Masters and Open Championship require entrants to be inside the world's top-50 if they are not already exempt otherwise, while the US Open's OWGR condition relates to the top-60. The PGA Championship does not have an explicit category based on the world ranking system, and invites are often afforded to top-100 players who did not otherwise qualify.
But for those LIV golfers playing in Oman who are not already securely fastened into the Majors of their choosing, this week will represent a huge chance to make their dreams a reality.
LIV Golfers In International Series Oman Field
Player | Current OWGR Position |
Lucas Herbert | 80th |
Joaquin Niemann | 81st |
Dean Burmester | 95th |
Louis Oosthuizen | 137th |
David Puig | 141st |
Mito Pereira | 154th |
Abraham Ancer | 165th |
Anirban Lahiri | 309th |
Charl Schawrtzel | 329th |
Matt Jones | 395th |
Eugenio Chacarra | 411th |
Scott Vincent | 413th |
Kieran Vincent | 422nd |
Sebastian Munoz | 428th |
Jinichiro Kozuma | 522nd |
Peter Uihlein | 629th |
Danny Lee | 643rd |
Branden Grace | 715th |
Matthew Wolff | 1,113th |
Carlos Ortiz | 1,286th |
Hudson Swafford | 1,786th |
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
DP World Tour Rookie Hit With Slow Play Penalty On First Pro Start
Jacob Skov Olesen was handed a one-shot penalty for slow play at the Australian PGA Championship in what was his very first start as a professional
By Paul Higham Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
Opinion: Sergio Garcia Is A No-Brainer Pick For The 2025 Ryder Cup
The all-time leading points scorer looks set to be eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup after rejoining the DP World Tour
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Sergio Garcia Rejoins DP World Tour
The Spaniard has rejoined the DP World Tour, opening the possibility of him resuming his record-breaking career on the European Ryder Cup team
By Mike Hall Published
-
44 LIV Golfers Confirmed For Saudi International
The majority of LIV's 54-man roster from 2024 are set to play the Asian Tour's season-ending event in Saudi Arabia
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Two LIV Golfers Claim Victory In Worldwide Events As Five Claim Top 10s
Lucas Herbert and Dean Burmester secured victories in New South Wales Open and Vodacom Origins of Golf, as the likes of Tyrrell Hatton and Cameron Smith earned top 10 finishes
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Watch: John Rahm Comes Agonizingly Close To Ace In YouTube Match
The LIV Golf player took on members of the Bob Does Sports YouTube channel in an 18-hole match in Arizona
By Mike Hall Published
-
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman Hints At Another New Asian Event
The LIV Golf CEO revealed talks with Japan Golf Tour chairman, Yutaka Morohoshi and suggested a Japanese event could be in the pipeline
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Schedule 2025: What We Know So Far
We know 10 of the 14 LIV Golf events that will be held on the 2025 schedule, including a new trip to Korea and new venue where the individual title will be settled
By Paul Higham Published
-
LIV Golf Announces Inaugural Korea Tournament In 2025 Schedule Update
The big-money circuit will visit South Korea for the first time in the 2025 season, while there will also be a stop at a new venue in Indiana
By Mike Hall Published