Greg Norman's LIV Golf replacement wastes no time in making bold prediction

Greg Norman's replacement has confirmed LIV Golf will not reignite its bid for world ranking points. 

LIV applied for Official World Golf Ranking accreditation shortly before the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews. 

Their bid came one month after their noisy introduction to the elite men's game at Centurion Club. 

The breakaway tour was denied by the OWGR in October 2023, with the format cited as incompatible with existing criteria.

Concerns were also raised about pathways to LIV and how the team element affects individual scoring. 

LIV decided not to make any substantial changes and withdrew their bid altogether. 

A furious Norman wrote a letter to LIV's players, explaining the OWGR showed 'little willingness to productively work with us'. 

For the OWGR's part, chairman Peter Dawson denied a conspiracy against LIV and declared: "We are not at war."

Dawson said the establishment would ultimately have to decide to carry on as normal or accept a system that is not mathematically perfect to accommodate LIV. 

Norman's replacement, Scott O'Neil, now has to address how LIV recruits can access the majors other than open qualifying and relying on invites. 

He told The Times of London: "I think our time with the world rankings has passed.

"On behalf of golf and fans around the world, you want to see the best players on the biggest stages."

O'Neill said he is confident the four major championship governing bodies will work out something. 

"There are several paths to go down," he said. 

"And from conversations with the majors we are hoping the situation continues to evolve in our favour and we are very confident it will."

It seems more than likely O'Neil is alluding to potential exemptions for a certain number of LIV's players via their money list. 

Some high-profile players, such as Bubba Watson, have suggested that the top-10 players - not otherwise exempt - be invited into the majors. 

Kevin Na went one step further by suggesting that simply by winning one LIV event should mean a player is good enough to play in the U.S. Open, The Open, Masters and PGA Championship. 

O'Neil added: "We all want the same thing and I'm really confident that clearer heads will prevail.

"I have a good feeling that the headwinds LIV has seen over the last two and a half years are very quickly going to turn to tailwinds."

Norman's replacement will now also be involved in the peace talks with the PGA Tour. 

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV's backers, the PIF of Saudi Arabia, signed a framework agreement in June 2023. 

It is understood PIF investment into PGA Tour Enterprises is coming. 

O'Neil is understood to have a good relationship with PGA commissioner Jay Monahan. 

"What you will find is very much a partnership approach," he said when asked about the topic of reunification. 

"We at LIV plan on being a full and participating member in the golf ecosystem and it’s very important to be part of the family."

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