LIV? IT'S DEAD

Faldo reckons rebel tour is a sitting duck and says: Nobody is now interested in it they won't get sponsors

- NEIL MCLEMAN

SIR NICK FALDO claims Greg Norman's LIV is finished in golf's new world even with Saudi money awash in the sport.

And the six-time Major winner believes Rory McIlroy is now free to start winning again at The Open without the pressure of talking about golfing politics.

The DP World Tour is back on British soil at the Betfred British Masters, which starts today, for the first time this year and the first time since the bombshell June 6 announcement of a framework deal between the PGA and DP World Tours and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Speaking yesterday before LIV's event at Valderrama in Spain, Phil Mickeslon stated: "We're all very optimistic about the positive changes to be made.

At The Belfry, another famous Ryder Cup venue, Faldo welcomed the peace deal which would see "an absolute bottomless pit of money" flow into the established tours.

"Pro golf is in a pretty darned good place," said the tournament host.