Greg Norman has slammed the decision to once again deny LIV Golf world ranking points. The lack of ranking points has been a hot topic for LIV in recent weeks, as their players continue to drop down the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
The Saudi-backed series finally thought they had found a way to receive OWGR recognition by forming a 'strategic alliance' with the lesser-known MENA Tour. As a result, LIV co-sanctioned this week's event in Bangkok with MENA and were therefore expecting to receive ranking points for the 48 players competing.
However in a statement on Thursday OWGR confirmed that there would be no ranking points on offer in Thailand and at LIV's next event in Jeddah, due to the notice of the application being 'insufficient'.
As a result the ranking system claimed MENA's submission with the Saudi-funded series was subject to a 'customary necessary review'. Amid the ongoing saga LIV boss Norman has broken his silence, hitting out at OWGR and accusing them of 'hurting the major championships'.
Speaking in Bangkok, he told South China Morning Post : "All I want in golf is consistency. And if you eliminate the bluster and the sentiment, you will get consistency. Golf deserves it, players deserve it and the fans deserve it.
"On top of that, what they’re doing really is hurting the major championships. It’s as simple as that. And all over what, competition? Legit competition that is additive to the system? It just doesn’t make logical sense and I’m a pretty logical guy.”
One of the large question marks against LIV Golf is its funding from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, amid the Middle Eastern's countries dismal human rights record. Norman however has defended the affiliation with the Saudis, claiming 'everything' he has done throughout his career is for 'growing the game golf'.
He went on: "Everything I’ve done in the game of golf for 45 years is under the guise of growing the game of golf. No matter where I went, what I’ve done, how I’ve done it, whether it’s on the golf course or off the golf course for my business or my brand.
"I’ve been consistent my whole life. So for me, it really hurts me internally because they are hurting the game of golf. To have this attitude for all the wrong reasons, just because you’re a monopolist.”
