DP World Chief Communications Officer Danny van Otterdijk has called for a truce between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf, as the former European Tour seeks a resolution to its drawn-out feud and seeks to block players who have signed up for the new series from competing in its events.
The PGA Tour has already banned the likes of Phil Mickelson and Brookes Koepka from teeing up in its competitions, but a UK arbitration hearing is ongoing, with LIV Golfers such as Patrick Reed and Ian Poulter continuing to contend in events such as the recent Hero Dubai Desert Classic in the UAE.
Daniel van Otterdijk. DP World
Van Otterdijk insists communication is ongoing between DP World and LIV Golf, and he is optimistic of a peaceful resolution.
“Our friends at LIV Golf, we have great contact with them as the game grows in the region,” Van Otterdijk told Golf Digest Middle East at the recent Desert Classic, where world No. 1 Rory McIlroy edged out rival Reed for the crown during a stormy competition.
“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.
“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.”
