There is new irony in LIV Golf 's ongoing failure to secure Official World Golf Ranking status after Rory McIlroy's return to the sport's summit.
LIV rebels dominated the rankings list a decade ago when McIlory first reached his destiny of world No.1 at the Honda Classic in Florida. Now, defectors to Greg Norman's Saudi-backed invitational series are sliding down the rankings while one of its most fervent and candid critics has climbed back to golf's zenith.
Northern Irishman McIlroy replaced Scottie Scheffler as No.1 after defending his CJ Cup title in South Carolina on Sunday - his 23rd PGA Tour win by the age of 33. McIlroy has not only reinstated his status as the world's best player, but he has also been an unofficial spokesperson for the game's existing eco-system. Norman's persistence in using the blank Saudi cheque book to tear up the status quo has sparked a fierce civil war within golf and McIlory's strong objection to the rival tour has perhaps fueled his own remarkable rise in form.
