CEASEFIRE! DP World official calls for truce between PGA Tour, LIV Golf League

A DP World communications officer has called for a truce between the warring European-based circuit, PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

Ben Smith's picture
Wed, 15 Feb 2023
CEASEFIRE! DP World official calls for truce between PGA Tour, LIV Golf League

A DP World communications officer has called for a truce between the European-based circuit, PGA Tour and LIV Golf. 

Danny van Otterdijk described LIV Golf as "our friends" and said they are "continually" talking to the breakaway tour. 

Otterdijk spoke to Golf Digest Middle East before the crunch DP World Tour v LIV Golf hearing that was held in London.

The LIV Golf players were handed punishments by the DP World Tour for playing in the Saudi-backed tour's inaugural event at Centurion Club last June. 

Related: Nine players who changed their mind about LIV

They were suspended from the Genesis Scottish Open, Barbasol Championship, Barracuda Championship and fined $100,000. 

The Sports Resolutions hearing focused on whether the DP World Tour could punish the LIV players and effectively ban them from the circuit and out of Ryder Cup qualifying. 

As many as 16 players took action but Sergio Garcia, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel and removed themselves from the case. 

Otterdijk told Golf Digest Middle East:

Update: These comments were made before the hearing in London began during the Dubai Desert Classic

"Our friends at LIV Golf, we have great contact with them as the game grows in the region.
"All that needs to get sorted out in the coming months and we will leave that to the governing bodies to sort it out.
"But we have a great relationship with our friends at LIV Golf and we are continually talking with them. We do think it will be sorted out.
"I personally think that what LIV Golf has done is bring the game of golf back to the conversation. More people are now asking: 'What is golf all about?’ 'What is this new different tour platform going to do?'
"Some like it, some do not, and that is fine, but at least it has people talking about golf again." 

One of LIV's harshest critics, Tiger Woods, is back in PGA Tour action this week after seven months away from the game.

The 15-time major champion conceded he was "rusty" on the eve of his return and teased a Masters showdown with the LIV players. 

Woods, 47, also hailed the work "ambassador" Rory McIlroy who took centre stage in golf's "civil war" in 2022. 

Related: Tiger interrupts his own press conference

Otterdijk said he worries about professional golf when Woods eventually retires. 

He added: 

"I did worry that after Tiger [Woods], he is obviously not playing as much as he used to and eventually he will stop, so what is next?
"Rory is doing a great job in carrying the baton, but who comes next?
"What LIV Golf has done is bring the conversation back to golf again, and people are interested.
"We think that, like the game of cricket [incorporating the IPL and world leagues]and what other sporting bodies have done, sensibility will prevail and people will talk, and integrating the schedules will prevail.
"That is only good for the game of golf."

Next page: Are LIV about to raid the PGA Tour for Viktor?