LIV Golf Investments, the start-up company behind the Saudi-backed attempt to form a breakaway global league, is in the process of applying for their eight-event invitational series to be officially recognised by the OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking), in order for rebel players to secure ranking points, as well as a shed load of cash, for their efforts.
The series gets underway from June 9-11 at the Centurion Club near St Albans, leaving Greg Norman - CEO of LGI - and co. in a race against time to successfully navigate the arduous process.
Atul Kholsa, Chief Operating Officer of LGI, said: “We've had quite a few conversations already with the OWGR team. We actually had a good session with them yesterday to walk through what our current field looks like, what our player pathway looks like, and how we want to structure our events.
“We're in partnership with the Asian Tour, so we are in the process right now of the application to put our application in. We've got a couple of draft versions that we've gone back and forth with them to make sure that we check all the boxes and all the criteria. With the field that we are expecting, we expect to get OWGR points and are going through the process right now.
“I don't know that we will get it for the first event because of the nature of how long it takes for the application to go through and the process one needs to undertake. But we are hopeful that we can get them for this year onwards.”
During the press conference, Norman revealed that 36 of the world’s top 150 have signed up for the first event next month, despite the PGA Tour and reportedly the DP World Tour blocking player release requests.
And when asked if he thought more big names would have jumped ship if ranking points were available, Kholsa added: “Sure, and we've had those conversations with the players as well. Kind of walked them through our application where we are and the process we're undertaking. But we've had that dialogue with the players.
“But the [OWGR] board does consist of the same individuals that have threatened players, correct? It's interesting, isn't it, how everything is controlled by the same individuals if you want to play golf in this world? We'll see how it goes.”
While ranking points aren't yet on offer, the series has been boosted by an additional $2 billion investment so Norman can turn the eight-event invitational series into a fully fledged 14-tournament super league by 2024.
