LIV Golf boss Greg Norman has lashed out at the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) body after he was dealt a huge blow in further validating his Saudi-Arabian backed breakaway tour.
A furious Norman told OWGR voting members who "hate" LIV to "grow up" after he was left furious in his attempt to secure world ranking points for his rebel series.
On Wednesday, LIV Golf were very hopeful that players could compete for ranking points at their latest invitational event in Bangkok, Thailand, this weekend after a 'strategic alliance' was struck with the little-known MENA tour.
The Australian was under the impression that LIV had found a loophole by forming a partnership with the North Africa and Middle-East based feeder tour, which crucially has world ranking status.
But the OWGR board stopped LIV in their tracks, stating there was not sufficient time for a 'customary review' to enable immediate access to ranking points.
LIV's pursuit of ranking points is a key battleground in golf's civil war, as Norman desperately tries to keep the momentum ticking over for his tour.
Without OWGR points, big-name stars who defected to the invitational series, such as Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, will slide down the rankings and eventually miss out on major championship qualification.
Norman believes OWGR board members, who are comprised of representatives from the four majors plus the PGA and DP World Tours, are unfairly singling out his LIV series.
"No, it's not a setback. It's a setback for them (OWGR) because quite honestly, my players should have it (ranking points)," Norman said about OWGR's decision.
Should LIV Golf events be given Official World Golf Ranking points? Voice your views in the comments section
"There are 22 tours that have world ranking points and there's only one that's equal to or superior to what LIV is. Only one.
"So, it doesn't make sense from a major's perspective. It doesn't make sense from a broadcaster's perspective. You're paying and investing for your strength of the field and degrading the strength of the field and by not allowing LIV players to get OWGR points is not doing the game of golf any good.
"Rise above it all, it's good for the players, it's good for the game of golf, it's good for production, it's good for corporations, it's good for OEMs, it's good for fans, it's good for everybody.
"Just because you have a negative viewpoint and you're one of the voting members of an independent organisation, that you hate LIV and you vote against it... Grow up."
Norman's strong views were echoed by 2020 U.S Open champion DeChambeau, one of the highest profile names to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.
"They're delaying the inevitable,” DeChambeau claimed. "We've (LIV Golf) hit every mark in their criteria, so for us not to get points is kind of crazy.
"I believe we have the top players in the world. Not all of them, but we certainly believe that there's enough that are in the top 50. We deserve to be getting world ranking points."
