Cameron Smith, OPEN champion, will make LIV Golf the catalyst that convinces the golfing establishment and rebel leaders to talk to them.

Smith, who rose to second place in the world rankings after beating Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young at St Andrews is unlikely to accept the PS125million LIV offer before September.

Once he signs, however, any argument that LIV is only able to attract players from the lower ranks of the world rankings will vanish.

Smith is just 28 years old and has many more years of his best years ahead.

Even if Hideki Matsuyama (the Masters winner last year) is not available, the rebel tour will feature two of the top 14 players in golf - and two men who will give them an advantage in the lucrative Australasian markets.

Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour's boss, and Keith Pelley, his European counterpart have so far declined to meet with Greg Norman, LIV's front man and his paymasters in order to reach a compromise.

However, the player drain, which includes Major winners Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson as well as Brooks Koepka and Bryson deChambeau, is alarming.

Bubba Watson, Double Masters champion and Tommy Fleetwood, 2019 Ryder Cup hero, were also targeted.

LIV claims that the main Tours can't afford to continue distancing, and LIV insists there is still room on the golf calendar for their 14 tournament schedule.

McIlroy and other top players seem reluctant to accept that view.

First, DP World Tour chief executive Pelley, and his No. 2 Guy Kinnings, will have to talk with Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson at Wentworth Tuesday over Henrik's plans to join the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit.

Stenson (46), will be reminded of the agreement he made not to get involved in LIV before he leads Europe against the Yanks at Rome next September.

He will be removed from the captaincy if he breaks down that agreement and accepts the PS25million-LIV offer.

Thomas Bjorn, the man who led Europe to victory in Paris 2018, has been identified as a potential replacement.

Shortly after he was given the captaincy, Stenson designated him vice-captain.

Stenson signed the document stating that the successful candidate would be expected to support the Ryder Cup, DP World Tour only and, therefore, not promote or support other properties [including, but not limited to, other Tours or Leagues, Series, or Competitions].