Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
The OWGR offered points to the Clutch Pro Tour, despite some obvious discrepancies to supposed criteria.
The Official World Golf Ranking posted an announcement Thursday about the Clutch Pro Tour and their approval to receive points.
Despite having a similar format to LIV Golf, the OWGR decided after a 17-month application process that this United Kingdom Tour meets the long-standing eligibility and format criteria for earning points.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom,” Chairman Peter Dawson said in the press release. “We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region.”
The Clutch Pro Tour conducts events over 54 holes with a 36-hole cut through its 2024 qualifying series and an annual open qualifying school for its 2025 season. This Tour also provides players with a no-cut, season-ending championship. It has played a large role in the United Kingdom since the EuroPro Tour closed.
The Clutch Pro Tour allows players opportunities to move up to the European Challenge Tour and the DP World Tour.
Once this news made its way onto social media, golf fans provided hilarious reactions and sentiments. Fans had plenty to say as the OWGR previously denied LIV Golf, so they made ample amounts of jokes.
Top Golf leagues get approved soon
— Bernardino Montoya (@fakesportsbot) April 25, 2024
this is such a funny shot at LIV and I love it
— Zack Carey (@ZackMadeBirdie) April 25, 2024
LOL. One day LIV will get an OWGR point, just 1
— Billy Baroo (@scbbsd) April 25, 2024
Even people who dislike LIV Golf felt like the OWGR’s credibility faltered by allowing this Tour to earn points.
Not a LIV guy but the fact this gets you points and LIV doesn’t is a joke
— Danny Walsh (@Dwalsh925) April 25, 2024
y’all are an embarassment to the game of golf. you probably can’t name one person on that tour meanwhile there’s dozens of hall of famers on LIV. you’re a joke
— Thorbjørn OleZyn (@ThorbjornOleZyn) April 25, 2024
There were a number of unhappy LIV Golf fans, like X user Thorbjørn OleZyn, who called the OWGR an embarrassment to the game of golf.
LIV Golf withdrew its OWGR application after the latest denial in March.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
