The MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Tour has announced a strategic alliance with LIV Golf that will see it qualify for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for its event in Thailand this week.
The details of the announcement reveal that all LIV Golf players are considered members of the MENA Tour, which will in turn co-sanction the event at Stonehill – a new course in Bangkok in Pathum Thani province.
“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.”
“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.”
The MENA Tour has submitted details of the Bangkok field to OWGR officials, with specific details of points on offer to be confirmed.
The news marks a significant moment for the Greg Norman-fronted venture, which had been embroiled in an ongoing battle with the OWGR Board, which consists of PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, and was said to be “growing impatient” at the “slow process” since it submitted its application in July.
The MENA Tour was founded in 2011 by the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation and has been recognised by the OWGR since 2016. It has however, not staged an event following the global impact of Covid-19.
The announcement is perhaps the most significant in LIV Golf’s history to date. Up until this point, the Saudi-backed circuit has been successful in luring some of the game’s leading stars without the promise of ranking recognition.
For players like Cameron Smith, who has secured entry to forthcoming Majors by virtue of his…
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