Greg Norman posts emphatic LIV Golf statement and directly addresses its future

Greg Norman has marked three years as CEO of LIV Golf, using the occasion to send a pointed message to his competitors at the PGA Tour, while affirming the Saudi-funded league’s permanence in the world of golf.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Norman reflected on his tenure as the head of LIV Golf, celebrating the league’s accomplishments under his leadership. He stated, “Today I celebrate three incredible years as CEO and Commissioner of our LIV Golf League. 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: – Players are now earning more money Today than ever before.”

Norman highlighted the league’s significant impact on player earnings, suggesting that LIV Golf has not only increased prize money but also secured more lucrative contracts for golfers. One notable example was the recent $390 million contract offered to Masters champion Jon Rahm, who received a reported $300 million upfront after deciding to join the league.

In addition to financial gains, Norman emphasized LIV Golf’s commitment to player health and well-being, claiming that the league now prioritizes player health “the best ever in golf history.” The league updated its official policy on August 7 to ensure that all tournament participants have access to medical assistance from licensed physicians during events.

Norman also outlined his plans to expand LIV Golf’s tournament structure into new, untapped markets, with strong backing from his superiors. The league has already made strides in this direction by hosting a tournament in Hong Kong from March 8-10 and kicking off its season in Mexico at the El Camaleón Golf Course in Mayakoba.

In his post, Norman expressed gratitude to his boss at LIV Golf for allowing him to take risks and pursue his vision for the sport. “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,” he wrote.

Norman concluded his message by asserting that LIV Golf has established itself as a legitimate competitor in the sport, with its teams continuing to grow and thrive after just 34 events. “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,” he declared.

Despite the league’s progress, Norman’s celebration comes amid ongoing criticism of LIV Golf, which many view as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy of “sportswashing.” The league’s reputation has improved slightly since its inception, but LIV golfers still face challenges, such as being excluded from earning Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points due to the league’s format, which involves fewer holes and fewer days of competition compared to the PGA Tour.

LIV Golf has made some strides in terms of television viewership, with the final round of its opening event at Mayakoba drawing 432,000 viewers, according to Neilsen. However, this figure still pales in comparison to the 1.951 million viewers who tuned in to watch the PGA’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which was broadcast simultaneously, indicating that LIV Golf still has a way to go in catching up to its rival.