Former world number one Dustin Johnson has made a significant prediction that could reshape the landscape of professional golf, forecasting that the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour will be granted official world ranking points for the start of its 2026 season next month.
A Transformative Change for the Breakaway Tour
Johnson, who currently sits at a modest 639th in the Official World Golf Ranking after joining LIV Golf in 2022, believes the tour's shift from a 54-hole to a 72-hole format this year will be instrumental in securing this crucial recognition. The American star, who has just signed a new three-year contract with LIV, suggests this development would represent a monumental boost for the controversial circuit.
Negotiations Nearing Completion
According to Johnson, LIV Golf has been engaged in extensive negotiations with the Official World Golf Rankings organisation to obtain points across its fourteen scheduled events. This recognition would fundamentally alter player qualification pathways for golf's four major championships, potentially allowing LIV competitors easier access to these prestigious tournaments.
"Yeah, that's obviously definitely going to be big," Johnson stated regarding the potential awarding of ranking points. "Which, more my opinion, we should have already have them. But it's looking like we'll get them this year, starting for the first event, hopefully."
Addressing the Ranking Discrepancy
The two-time major champion expressed frustration with the current ranking system, which he believes fails to accurately reflect the true competitive landscape of modern golf. Johnson specifically mentioned fellow LIV stars including Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Joaquín Niemann, and Bryson DeChambeau as examples of players whose rankings don't match their actual standing in the sport.
"Right now, they don't really reflect the actual standings of golf right now," Johnson argued. "Myself, I'm like a thousand, I don't even know."
Interestingly, alternative ranking systems like Data Golf, which incorporate LIV Golf performances, place Johnson at a more respectable 178th position. When asked where he believes he should be ranked based on recent performances, Johnson suggested "somewhere around" 40th to 45th in the world.
Major Championship Implications
The potential awarding of world ranking points carries significant implications for major championship qualification. Johnson, who won the 2016 US Open and can play the Masters for life following his 2020 victory at Augusta National, currently needs to qualify for both the US PGA Championship and The Open.
"Good golf will take care of that," Johnson remarked optimistically. "If I play well, starting at the beginning of the year, have a good Masters, things like that, I'll get into all the majors. I feel like I've got a good relationship with them. Obviously my game, if I'm playing well enough, then I think they will want me to play them."
Preparation for the New Season
Johnson is currently preparing to compete in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the first time, using the event as a warm-up before LIV Golf's 2026 season commences in Riyadh on February 4th. The American explained that the tournament finally fits his schedule, describing it as "a really good place to start and see kind of where the game is."
Reflecting on his motivation, Johnson emphasised his enduring competitive drive, stating: "Obviously I still have the drive to compete and compete with the best players in the world. This year, I want to get back to the form where I know I should be."
The potential integration of LIV Golf into the official world ranking system represents one of the most significant developments in professional golf since the tour's controversial launch. Should Johnson's prediction prove accurate, it would mark a substantial step toward normalising the relationship between the breakaway circuit and golf's traditional institutions.
