Golfers playing in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Series have written to the Official World Golf Rankings requesting that its events be awarded ranking points.
The letter to board chairman Peter Dawson was signed by 50 players.
LIV, which launched in June and has hosted five events so far, applied for recognition on the leaderboard in July.
“Each week that passes without the inclusion of LIV athletes undermines the historical value of the OWGR,” the players wrote.
“Over time, LIV golfers automatically decline in rankings.”
Rankings play a key role in deciding whether to enter golf’s four major tournaments and qualify for the Olympics.
Open champion Cameron Smith, LIV’s highest-ranked player, was world number two when he joined the Saudi-funded series last month but fell to world number three.
He picked up his first circuit victory in Chicago this weekend, pocketing £3.5million in prize money – but will not receive any ranking points.
In the letter sent on September 16, the players add: “To maintain confidence, we urge you – as true statesmen of the sport – to act appropriately to include, retroactively, the results of the events of the LIV Golf in the OWGR ranking calculations.
“An OWGR without LIV would be incomplete and inaccurate, which would be tantamount to leaving Belgium, Argentina and England out of the Fifa rankings.
“Some 23 circuits are embedded in the OWGR universe, and LIV has earned its place among them. Four LIV golfers have held the top spot on the OWGR, and one is currently number two. LIV’s roster includes 21 of the last 51 golfers, winners of the four Majors.
“The level of competition at an average LIV event is at least equal to that of an average PGA Tour event. We know that because we’ve played in both.”
Players participating in the LIV Series are currently not permitted to participate in PGA Tour events, although the DP World Tour has suspensions temporarily lifted on LIV Golf players.
The OWGR Board of Directors includes PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and DP World Tour General Manager Keith Pelley.
In the letter, the players claimed that the board members are “in conflict and preventing the OWGR from doing the right thing”.
LIV Golfers called for a quick decision for “the benefit of the integrity of the rankings, the game and all of us who love the sport”, adding that excluding players “would mean that fans see each other refuse what they deserve”.
The OWGR has yet to respond to the letter, but the Press Association said a source with the organization said it was not commenting on the application process.
