The closing stages of the Asian Tour's International Series have taken on even more significance than usual with two LIV Golf cards available for the first time this season.
LIV Golf recently announced that two cards would be up for grabs for the top two eligible players in the International Series Rankings at the end of the season - an increase from the usual one on offer.
The change has been made with an eye on the Official World Golf Ranking, to help with LIV Golf's second application to get OWGR points, as wider promotion and relegation was cited as a big reason for the initial rejection.
And unlike last year, when Joaquin Niemann finished top but was already in LIV, the top two 'eligible' players in the rankings will now win a spot on the lucrative team tour.
Following the Moutai Singapore Open, there is now just one event left of the season, the PIF Saudi International, which takes place between November 19th and 22nd.
Despite there only being one opportunity left for players to clinch a card via the International Series, several players will still be eyeing the possibility.
Scott Vincent, who finished top in 2022 to earn a spot in LIV Golf, currently tops the rankings and looks a decent bet to book a return.
The Zimbabwean spent three seasons on LIV Golf before being relegated after the 2024 season, but now has one hand on a 'golden ticket' back into the Saudi-backed circuit.
Before the Moutai Singapore Open, Miguel Tabuena, who won the International Series Phillippines in front of his home crowd, had held second place. However, Yosuke Asaji won in Singapore, meaning the Japanese player is in second place ahead of Tabuena in third.
International Series Rankings
Pos |
Name |
Points |
|---|---|---|
1. |
Scott Vincent |
325.59 |
2. |
Yosuke Asaji |
285.30 |
3. |
Miguel Tabuena |
232.28 |
4. |
Lucas Herbert |
202.95 |
5. |
Ollie Schniederjans |
197.87 |
6. |
Wade Ormsby |
195.00 |
7. |
Peter Uihlein |
188.17 |
8. |
Carlos Ortiz |
180.00 |
9. |
Tom McKibbin |
180.00 |
10. |
Kazugi Higa |
160.87 |
Current LIV Golfer Lucas Herbert is in fourth, but a player hoping for a card is immediately below him, Ollie Schniederjans, who was a LIV Golf reserve this year and won February's International Series India.
The experienced Wade Ormsby, who played in two LIV events this year as a reserve, sits in sixth as he chases a full-time spot.
Beneath him are LIV Golf regulars Peter Uihlein, Carlos Ortiz and Tom McKibbin, leaving Kazuki Higa to complete the top 10.
Winners of International Series events earn 180 points and the Japanese star is currently 124.43 behind his compatriot occupying the final slot for a LIV Golf card, leaving the door open to take it at the last opportunity.
The others still mathematically capable of earning the second LIV Golf contract are Danthai Boonma in 11th and Jeunghun Wang in 12th.
The final International Series events are also important for those who miss out on direct cards, as the next top 10 available players get straight into the second round of the LIV Golf Promotions event.
The four-round tournament has moved from the Middle East to Florida, and will take place on The Ranch course at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto between January 8th and 11th,
There will be another two LIV Golf cards up for grabs there instead of one in another move to help with OWGR recognition.
The next best 25 players will go into the first round of LIV Golf Promotions, so it really is all to play for heading down the stretch of the Asian Tour's elevated series.
