Greg Norman shares plan for contentious Saudi backed golf series posing threat to PGA Tour

Ryder Cup: Commentator says Rory McIlroy has been ‘scapegoat’

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Greg Norman has outlined the plans for a contentious Saudi-backed golf league, which he hopes is set to rival the PGA Tour as one of the sport’s most prestigious fields for players to compete in.

It was reported last week that Norman was set to become commissioner of the controversial breakaway competition, after he was also announced Chief Executive of LIV Golf Investments, the entity backing a 10-event series on the Asian Tour in 2022.

Whilst the series will feature under the umbrella of the Asian Tour, it will have the backing of Saudi golf and is expected to expand massively in the future.

Following the announcement the two-time major champion lifted the lid on the plans, and exactly what it could mean for the PGA Tour and the rest of the golfing world in an interview with Golf Digest.

To many Norman’s involvement in the proposed series came as no surprise, after the Australian campaigned heavily for a World Golf Tour in the 1990’s which was eventually countered by the introduction of the World Golf Championships.

However the Australian now hopes his plans of diverting the planet’s best golfers around the world rather than playing out of the PGA Tour’s American base are set to come true.

JUST IN: Donald Trump parties with Dustin Johnson and WAG Paulina Gretzky at Halloween bash

When asked by Golf Digest if he thought the PGA Tour was ‘too US-based’ Norman said: “One hundred percent. Seve [Ballesteros] and I were global players. 

“The two of us, in separate schedules and separate directions, went off and did what we wanted to do as independent contractors. It was the competition that we loved and wanted to be involved with on a global basis.

“We cherished and relished every tournament we played. That spurred conversations with other players: What would happen if we could do this?”

Plans for a breakaway series were first rumoured earlier this year, and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was quick to squash the idea as he reportedly warned players that they would be banned from PGA Tour events, if they joined the Saudi series.

Some of the world’s biggest players were also in opposition of the move, with Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm all seeming less than keen with the idea of losing their PGA Tour status.

DON’T MISS
McIlroy was ‘done with golf’ before clinching 20th PGA Tour title
Race to Dubai standings with a month to go and how much they win
Fredrik Andersson Hed dead: European Tour champion dies aged 49

However, Norman went on to reveal that he already has the backing of a number of players who are interested in backing the idea.

He added: “I have had numerous conversations with players who have called me up to thank me for what I’m doing in Asia. 

“And those conversations, they’ve said they’re happy that we have a player commission and a CEO that understands what’s going on and our needs.

“I can’t explain strongly enough how encouraged I am by players, and corporations and additional investors, wanting to come into our platform.”

The 66-year-old also continued to add that the independent contracts offered to those who compete will give them much more freedom, and opportunity to compete where they would like around the globe.

He commented: “The players should keep their eyes open … to opportunities that allow [them] to do what you want to do as an independent contractor. Seve and I were staunch supporters of that, of growing the game of golf on a global basis.”

Norman also went on to fire a stark warning to the other tours  – most likely the PGA and European – that his new idea will be going global, with golf events all over the world.

The Australian added: “The tours should keep their eyes wide open, because the Asian Tour will be there. And it’s not geographically confined to Asia. It’s going global with tournaments all over the world.”

Source: Read Full Article