Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant, LIV Golf Investments CEO Greg Norman and Asian Tour No. 1 Joohyung Kim. Asian Tour

Both Greg Norman, the LIV Golf Tour chief executive, and the Asian Tour CEO Cho Minn Thant have embraced the news of a partnership between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.

News emerged on Tuesday of a merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the newest circuit, the LIV Golf League, after a year of acrimonious calls, fall-outs and even legal cases.

The news came as a shock across the sporting world almost exactly a year after the new LIV Golf League held its first event in London at Centurion Club, with the likes of Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka and Ian Poulter on the books, and name-drops of Bryson DeChambeau and Bubba Watson happening as new arrivals during the inaugural competition.

But the leaders of the new partners have all embraced the deal as PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan hailing it as “a historic day for the game we all know and love”, and Norman calling the move as “a great day in global golf for players and fans alike”.

Asian Tour boss Cho released a statement on Wednesday morning, which read: “The Asian Tour welcomed and embraced yesterday’s news concerning the landmark announcement between the [LIV-backers] Public Investment Fund, the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour.

“This is a massive stride forward for the game and a great result for all parties concerned: the fans, brands, broadcasters, the Tours and their membership.

“This hugely significant development validates our well documented decision to collaborate with Golf Saudi and LIV Golf to elevate the Asian Tour’s standing in the game. We were always confident a solution would be found, and we are delighted it has come so soon following a turbulent period for golf globally.

“The Asian Tour looks forward to contributing to the ongoing dialogue and playing our part in helping to build a model and structure for the Tours to work together so that we can all enjoy what will arguably be the most exciting period for professional golf.”

The Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and International Series offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League for the best players.