‘I have fought vigorously’: Greg Norman makes big call on LIV Golf future, takes aim at ‘tired’ golf establishment – Australian Golf Digest

by Admin
September 1, 2024

[IMAGE: Greg Norman/Instagram]

Aussie golf icon and LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman has marked his three-year anniversary with the Saudi-funded league with an Instagram post for the ages.

As the second round of the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship was getting underway at the weekend, 69-year-old Norman took aim at the ‘tired’ golf establishment while making multiple claims of how LIV Golf has completely transformed the sport for the better.

“Today I celebrate 3 incredible years as CEO and Commissioner of our LIV Golf League,” Norman wrote.

“We have come so far in such a short time period, managing all sorts of hostile headwinds, hurdles and untruths that I marvel at what we have accomplished to date.”

Norman then went on to list these 10 major LIV Golf accomplishments:

– Players are now earning more money today than ever before – LIV!
– Players’ families, fans and caddies are now a priority – LIV!
– Players Health & Wellness is now in the best place ever in professional golf history – LIV!
– Additional player pathways for them to compete – LIV!
– We brought exciting new energy and entertainment to a tired, monotonous sport culture with innovation and production leading the way- LIV!
– Golf is now looked upon as an asset class with Private Equity now all in – LIV!
– Golf has now opened up new untapped global markets – LIV!
– We have lowered the oldest age demographic in our sport from 67-1/2 to below 45 – LIV!
– We are more successfully working with the global golf ecosystem, as promised – LIV
– We are partnering with communities via our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibilities) initiative – LIV!

Not done there, Norman went on to thank those around him who backed him to achieve his “lifelong vision”.

“As you know, I have fought vigorously and publicly for global golf, player rights, caddies, for the fans and the stakeholders for the last 30+ years. Today on my 3rd anniversary, I could not be prouder for finally achieving my lifelong vision.

“I could not have done it alone so I thank my entire global team of incredibly diverse, intelligent, tenacious and driven individuals who believe in our biz plan, are committed to it and who continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes to make LIV better and better, tournament by tournament.

“It has been an honour to be on this journey with you by my side for 3 straight years and I look forward to continuing our mission.

“Finally to my boss, I want to thank him for HIS vision, his genius in identifying virgin space, his patience, his support, and for knowing the franchise model works! Today we are underway and in just 34 events our Teams continue to grow, proving there is room for competition in our sport. LIV Golf belongs and LIV Golf is here to stay!”

Norman’s anniversary post comes as Aussie LIV Golf fans eagerly await the dates for the 2025 edition of LIV Golf Adelaide to be announced. Rumours have been swirling that South Australia’s showpiece event will switch from its April time slot to February.

This year’s event welcomed record crowds for the league, with all-Australian lineup Ripper GC winning the teams event in a dramatic playoff against South Africa’s Stinger GC.