Since LIV Golf’s first event at Centurion Club in June, both the PGA and DP World Tours have been clear of their stances, with both handing out bans and fines to those that choose to tee it up in the Saudi-backed series.
However, although the two Tours are against LIV, the Asian Tour is firmly with it. Back in early 2022, both LIV and the Asian Tour entered into a strategic partnership and launched the International Series – a $300 million investment over the next 10 years.
The Asian Tour, though, isn’t the only Tour in Asia, with the Japan Golf Tour now releasing a statement around the Saudi-backed series and the PGA and DP World Tours and, well, it certainly shows the divide within the golf world right now.
WHAT IS LIV GOLF?
First reported by Handicap 54, who has successfully reported a number of LIV Golf signings throughout 2022, the JGTO “needs to create a clear path to the PGA Tour/DP World Tour, so that professional golfers from Japan and Asia have a good range of opportunities, depending on the intention. of each golfer.”
The full statement, which has been translated, reads: “Today, I would like to give you an update on the recent development in relation to the confusion resulting from the activities of LIV. First, JGTO’s current position is that it would be beneficial (for tour members and for the tour itself) if we maintained a neutral position on this matter and stayed away from any political conflict.
“Meanwhile, Mr. Greg Norman (of LIV Golf) contacted JGTO and asked us to take the same position as them, regarding the eligibility of Japan Golf Tour members for the ZOZO Championship and to protest the PGA Tour. As I have already told you, the conclusion made by the PGA Tour for this year’s ZOZO Championship was reached after negotiations that took a few months, and we told Mr. Norman that we would not find it appropriate to reopen the negotiations at this time.
“In addition, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour (partner) sent a letter to JGTO, outlining their desire to form a visible alliance with JGTO. We will be discussing the details of their…
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