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Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Author
LIV Golf League CEO and commissioner Greg Norman stated final week’s addition of Spain’s Jon Rahm, the third-ranked golfer on the planet, is validation of the circuit’s 54-hole format that includes particular person and staff golf.
Norman, chatting with ESPN from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday morning, stated a number of gamers have contacted LIV Golf League officers to inquire in regards to the remaining spots on a staff that Rahm will captain.
“I believe phrase is getting on the market amongst all of the gamers around the globe, even the highest gamers, one of the best gamers on the planet,” Norman stated. “They love our format, they love our platform, they love the staff spirit, the staff environment. And to be sincere with you, I’ve seen it resonate very, very loudly this 12 months. And clearly, Jon is an unbelievable addition to us.”
Norman stated about eight to 12 gamers are within the operating for 2 or three obtainable spots on the LIV Golf League roster. On Monday, Tony Finau introduced on social media that he plans to return to the PGA Tour in 2024. There was hypothesis that Finau may be contemplating a transfer to LIV Golf.
Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, signed a multiyear deal price greater than $300 million, based on sources.
“I will be sincere with you, since Jon signed, I do know he is been inundated by gamers saying, ‘I need to play in your staff, Jon. How do I get on that?'” Norman stated. “And I’ve been inundated and my different staff members, too, my C-suite inside the group. I can let you know, hand on my coronary heart, between eight and 12 guys for about two or three spots and possibly two spots, to be sincere with you.”
Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF) is financing the LIV Golf League, which begins its third season at Mayakoba in Mexico from Feb. 2-4. On June 6, the PIF signed a framework settlement with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to mix their business properties, together with LIV Golf. The framework settlement has a Dec. 31 deadline.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was scheduled to satisfy with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF’s governor, this week. The PGA Tour’s coverage board notified gamers in a memo on Sunday that it was persevering with negotiations to type a partnership with Strategic Sports activities Group, a conglomerate of U.S.-based traders led by Fenway Sports activities Group, and was persevering with its talks with PIF officers.
Norman advised ESPN that the LIV Golf League would proceed as a “standalone entity,” no matter what occurs with the PGA Tour/PIF alliance.
“I am not concerned with that framework settlement in any respect,” Norman stated. “I am over right here taking care of LIV and operating LIV, but it surely’s nice to see non-public fairness coming into the sport of golf and investing within the recreation of golf. I hope it does happen not directly, form or type. It is to the betterment of the gamers.
“As a former participant, I am all in regards to the unbiased gamers’ rights. I am all in regards to the gamers having the ability to earn extra money and go the place they should go to earn extra money and even keep someplace to earn extra money, and also you’re seeing that now. So, I do hope that some settlement not directly, form or type comes about, about non-public fairness investing into golf. We have got it. Hopefully, it takes place in different establishments as effectively.”
The unique framework settlement between the PGA Tour and PIF gave Monahan authority to find out LIV Golf’s future. Throughout his testimony in entrance of the U.S. Senate Everlasting Subcommittee on Investigations in July, PGA Tour chief working officer Ron Worth advised senators that if the tour and the PIF reached an settlement, Norman’s place could be eradicated.
“We’d not have a requirement for that kind of place,” Worth stated.
Norman stated Worth’s remark was unfounded and described it as “white noise.” Norman stated he hasn’t spoken to Monahan for the reason that framework settlement was introduced greater than six months in the past.
“I am nonetheless sitting right here,” Norman stated. “I nonetheless have the help of my investor, and it’s what it’s. Individuals can say what they need to say with out having any information of the result.”
When the LIV Golf League launched most of its 2024 schedule final month, it did not embody tournaments at golf equipment owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s programs in Sterling, Virginia; Bedminster, New Jersey; and Miami hosted 5 LIV Golf occasions within the circuit’s first two seasons, together with the staff and particular person championships in 2022 and 2023.
LIV Golf did not determine websites for a March event in Saudi Arabia and an April 5-7 event within the U.S. in final month’s announcement. Particulars of the season-ending particular person and staff championships additionally weren’t disclosed.
When Norman was requested why his circuit wasn’t going to make a cease at a Trump course in 2024, he advised ESPN, “I did not know that was the case.”
When Norman was requested if LIV Golf would certainly play at a Trump course subsequent 12 months, he stated, “You may have to attend and see.”
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