ANNIKA Sorenstam has managed to get what LIV Golf has yet to attain in three years — recognition by the world ranking.
The circumstances are totally different, of course. LIV Golf remains held up by having a vast majority of its players selected (most with contracts) for the 54-man league. Trevor Immelman, chair of the Official World Golf Ranking, said discussions with LIV are ongoing.
Sorenstam took over the Women’s All Pro Tour in 2024, and the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings this week announced it will be included in the ranking starting in 2026.
The tour provides a direct path to the developmental Epson Tour, with the top two finishers at each tournament getting exemptions into Epson Tour events and season leaders getting into the LPGA qualifying series.
The women’s world ranking also announced a change to its methodology so that every player on the 13 tours will get ranking points if they make the cut. Previously, how many players received points depended on the strength of the field.
Meanwhile, former Women’s British Open champion Georgia Hall has announced she is expecting a boy in early 2026.
Hall says she plans to return to the LPGA in late June.
Hall announced in July she is engaged to Paul Dunne, a former British Masters winner who in 2015 shared the 54-hole lead in the British Open at St. Andrews as an amateur.
Marco Penge of England will end the year at No. 29 in the world and can already count on a big start to 2026. As the leading European tour player to earn a PGA Tour card, he already has secured spots in The Players Championship and the first two $20 million signature events.
Dustin Johnson will be playing the Dubai Desert Classic in January, along with three other LIV players in Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Joaquin Nieman.