This close relationship between tours on both sides of the Atlantic strengthens each other’s positions as Saudi-funded LIV attempts to make inroads against the golf establishment.
Kinnings did not comment on his move from 54 to 72 holes next season. “It’s totally a decision they should make in their best interest,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect them to comment on what we do.”
But a solution still needs to be found if players like Rahm and Hatton can retain the DPWT membership needed to remain eligible for Ryder Cup teams.
Both are appealing fines and suspensions imposed since their switch to LIV in 2024.
Kinnings agrees that it needs to be addressed.
“That’s right,” he said. “That is a matter that is in the hands of the lawyers and that is why it would be a mistake for me to comment further on it. But that is in the process.”
Van Otterdijk wonders whether both players could be tempted to return to establishment tours when their contracts with LIV run out.
“Those guys can decide, look, we made money off the LIV tour,” he speculated. “We would like to return to do other tours.
“How exactly that will happen, I don’t know. That will be the other interesting part. Will they come back through the European tour, for example?
“As things currently stand, there is an obstacle to returning to the PGA Tour. They can’t return to that tour.
“But I foresee that Guy might look at this and say, we’ll come back through the European tour, win one of the 10 cards and come back that way. Maybe that’s a good way to do it, and that would suit us.”
While publicly Kinnings is understandably cautious and circumspect about the future, the sponsors who lend their names to his tour are more outspoken. Talks about money and DP World are putting a lot of money at stake.
They are convinced that golf is approaching a decisive moment. The fragmented nature of men’s professional golf cannot continue, even when someone as transcendently charismatic as McIlroy reigns supreme.
Van Otterdijk negotiated the latest deal that offers Kinnings’ organization an important security measure. But DP World’s sponsorship boss wants more and demands unity.
“I think it’s the only solution,” he said. “Everyone sees the need and the benefit of it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to get it the way they want.”
“And that’s the thing, that’s where concessions and conciliations will need to be made. We’ve been very clear with the three parties we’ve had conversations with.
“Listen to the fans and listen to the sponsors because without those two groups, you don’t have a product and the players don’t have money to play.
“So I’m sure they will. Three different parties have the vision of the same result, but they have three different ways of getting there.
“That’s the challenge, right? That’s the challenge to overcome.”
