LIV Golf boss makes bold claim during Promotions event broadcast

LIV Golf's chief executive Scott O'Neil says he is hopeful the PIF-backed league will secure world ranking points and a resolution with the DP World Tour over player fines before the end of the month.

The breakaway tour have been locked out of the Official World Golf Ranking system since its inauguration. 

Under the leadership of former Open winner Greg Norman, LIV applied for accreditation during the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022. 

After a protracted back-and-forth, the governing body officially denied LIV's request and a furious Norman withdrew their application altogether. 

Norman's replacement resubmitted their application on 11 July and so far no decision has been made. 

OWGR chairman, former Masters winner Trevor Immelman, claimed recently progress was being made but refused to say what the breakaway need to do in order to be granted approval. 

In the off-season, LIV made several changes to its format and roster. They have abandoned their 54-hole format in favour of 72 holes and increased their field size to 57. 

According to Jon Rahm, the bottom 20 per cent of players in LIV Golf will face relegation from 2026.  

Should LIV be given the green light for OWGR points, it would automatically enable more LIV players to qualify for the four men's majors and remove one of the biggest barriers remaining between the league and the established golf ecosystem. 

O'Neil told the broadcast during their Promotions event this week that he was extremely hopeful the situation will be resolved before their fourth full campaign gets underway next month. 

He also suggested LIV could also announce a resolution with the DP World Tour. 

The DP World Tour requires its members to get permission before playing in tournaments that conflict with its own schedule. 

The aforementioned Rahm is among many that have been fined heavily. He has appealed his fines and it it has been suggested by some insiders that Sports Resolutions UK will hear the case in April. 

O'Neil suggested that might not even be necessary as they are currently exploring a solution that would see the European-based circuit "roll back the fines assessed to LIV players". 

He also claimed LIV are closing in on a few more player signings. 

"We're looking to have the strongest strength of field in the history of LIV this year," he said. 

"If we can close out these last few players to come across, which would be really exciting."

Which players have LIV Golf signed?

LIV Golf's fourth full campaign gets underway on 4 February and there remains several spots that need to be filled. 

Three-time DP World Tour winner Victor Perez became the first signing this winter after losing his PGA Tour card. 

England's Laurie Canter confirmed in December he was giving up a PGA Tour card to re-join LIV with the all-English Majesticks side. 

The Times of London have reported Thomas Detry and Australia's Elvis Smylie have agreed terms with LIV. 

Golf Channel reported earlier in the week that Akshay Bhatia turned down an offer. 

The top-50 ranked Max Greyserman was also subject to an eight-figure offer, according to reports, but that move fell through. 

It was reported Greyserman was going to join Bubba Watson's team but the league have now confirmed the Range Goats roster will be exactly the same in 2026, with Ben Campbell, Matthew Wolff and Peter Uihlein linking up with the former Masters champion. 

Jon Rahm opens up on DP World Tour fines, Ryder Cup future

Rahm recently hopped on GOLF's Subpar podcast to discuss a range of topics. 

He revealed the horrific abuse he received during the Ryder Cup and also explained why he has appealed fines he has received from the DP World Tour. 

Rahm has one main problem. 

"The only the one thing that for me about the fines is the tournaments I'm getting fined for playing or not playing I've never played and I will never play right," he said. 

"I never played them when I was on the PGA Tour and I would probably never play them in the future either because it was just not part of the schedule when I would play, right?"

Rahm said he was happy to pay a figure that would account take into account the tournaments he would've usually played. 

But he acknowledged the situation is complicated. 

Rahm also indicated he was aware Brooks Koepka was likely to quit LIV Golf.