Greg Norman has claimed there is “always room” for compromise with the PGA and DP World Tours as he insisted LIV Golf is “here to stay”.
Dustin Johnson has banked over £30m in the first LIV season by winning the individual event and the team trophy in Miami this weekend. The Saudi-backed breakaway league will expand from eight to 14 events next year with Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Adam Scott potential new signings.
LIV players are locked in legal battles with the PGA and DP World Tours while no ranking points are given. But chief executive Norman said: "The players love it. The fans are loving it. Even the media are starting to grab hold of what the reality of it all is. It's way better than I anticipated."
Asked about the chance of peace talks, the Great White Shark told Global Golf Post : "That is what has disappointed me the most. There was always room - always, always, always room - and there is still room for them to sit down and understand what we have and what this is all about.
"I quite honestly think the ball is in their court; it's not in ours. We've tried. We've tried on numerous occasions, not just me personally but before I even came on board. We've had high up people reach out to try and explain it to them. We've extended an inclusion into the equity side of things where everybody would be the benefactors, not just the players, Every institution would be a benefactor. LIV is definitely here to stay. We are not going anywhere."
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Former US president Donald Trump, who owns two of the courses to stage LIV events this year, said on Thursday: "I think ultimately maybe something gets worked out out but the Tour mishandled it so badly."
LIV Golf have teamed up with the Asian and MENA Tours in a bid to secure world ranking points.
With LIV players suspended from the PGA Tour - and only playing on the DP World Tour under an injunction before a February court hearing - they risk sliding down the rankings and out of the Majors if they are not already qualified. Norman claimed: "I have conversations with (OWGR boss) Peter Dawson. He believes LIV should have OWGR points."
Asked by GGP if he had promised rebel players they would get world ranking points with LIV, the former world No.1 responded: "We never said 'immediately'.
"We said we will apply for OWGR points. Under the rules and regulations in the handbook of the OWGR, we've pretty much checked all the boxes."
