“Greg Norman Already Knows Which PGA Tour Stars LIV Golf Will Target Next If Saudi League Keeps Spending”

LIV Golf is poised to continue its aggressive spending during golf’s off-season, a year after the headline-making signings of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund-backed league shows no signs of slowing down as it prepares for the 2025 season. The upcoming season will feature the first four events scheduled to compete directly against some of the PGA Tour’s marquee early-season tournaments, further intensifying the ongoing conflict between the two organizations with no resolution in sight.

LIV CEO Greg Norman recently reaffirmed the league’s commitment to its long-term vision. Amid speculation that LIV will continue to pursue top talent, two major names have emerged as potential targets. The first is Hideki Matsuyama, a player Norman has openly expressed interest in signing. Matsuyama, a former Masters champion and one of the top golfers globally, is a massive star in Japan. While the PGA Tour has not heavily promoted him in the U.S., he is a central figure in Asian golf.

Reports suggest that LIV Golf could offer Matsuyama one of its largest contracts yet, potentially surpassing the £450 million package given to Rahm. Norman’s determination to sign Matsuyama has been evident, as he recently acknowledged his ongoing efforts to bring the Japanese star on board. “When Hideki won in LA, the first thing I did was congratulate him,” Norman said earlier this year. “I’m proud of you, mate.”

Another player LIV could be targeting is former world No.1 Viktor Hovland. The Norwegian golfer, who is among the world’s best, endured a difficult 2024 season due to issues with his swing coach. Earlier this year, Hovland revealed that he had instructed his agent to explore potential offers from LIV Golf, indicating that discussions may still be ongoing. Given Hovland’s challenging year, LIV might have an advantage in securing his signature.

With the framework agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF in place, there is hope for an eventual resolution to golf’s ongoing conflict. The success of players like Bryson DeChambeau in the US Open and Rahm on the LIV tour suggests that there is a viable path for success within the breakaway league. A potential merger in the future could pave the way for all players to reunite under one umbrella.