Will LIV Golf earn OWGR points soon? Plus McIlroy’s goals, Donald’s thanks, Henseleit’s wedding and Couples’ new look.
Rory McIlroy has capped off what he calls the best year of his professional golf career, but he’s not resting on his laurels. After being named BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, the 36-year-old reflected on a season that included a Masters win, the completion of his career Grand Slam, a victory at the Irish Open, and a Ryder Cup triumph on foreign soil. “I don’t know what I’ll do in 2026 to top this, but I’ll try. There’s still a lot more to achieve,” McIlroy said.
One of his targets? An eighth Race to Dubai title, which would tie him with Colin Montgomerie for the most Order of Merit wins. “I still feel like I have a few good years ahead of me. Knock on wood, I’ve stayed injury-free, and the drive to improve is still there,” he added.
Just a day later, McIlroy was spotted ringside at the boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul in Miami, where he also took time to speak with media.
McIlroy and TGL: New Season, New Faces
As the new season of Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) kicks off on January 2, McIlroy will tee it up for Boston Common alongside Keegan Bradley. With Adam Scott in Australia and Hideki Matsuyama in Japan, Michael Thorbjornsen will step in as a substitute. “Michael will join Keegan and me for our first match,” McIlroy confirmed.
OWGR and LIV Golf: ‘There’s a Chance’
The LIV Golf League is making renewed efforts to gain recognition from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Trevor Immelman, who chairs the OWGR board, revealed ongoing discussions with LIV CEO Scott O’Neil. “We’re working closely to find a solution. I think there’s a chance,” Immelman noted. LIV is reportedly shifting to 72-hole events and expanding its field size. “We’ve been helping LIV understand the merit-based nature of OWGR. That’s been a key part of our talks,” he added.
Team of the Year: Donald and McIlroy Honored
At the SPOTY awards, McIlroy wasn’t the only golfer recognized. Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup squad was named Team of the Year for their win at Bethpage Black. McIlroy accepted the award alongside teammate Tommy Fleetwood, while the rest of the team joined virtually. Donald expressed his gratitude on social media, representing the team’s collective pride.