Greg Norman, speaking before the next LIV Golf League event in Australia and the first women’s major of the year, hinted that there was growing interest in the women’s LIV Golf League.
When asked about LIV’s future, both from the perspective of men and women, the CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf admitted that there were “regular” internal discussions about the latter.
I have had personal discussions with LPGA Tour, LET Tour, and Ladies European Tour players. Norman said during a Grange Golf Club press conference ahead of LIV Golf, “They love what we are showcasing.” They ask us all the time how we can get involved. “We’d love to have a LIV Ladies Series.”
While Mollie Marcoux-Samaan had previously stated that she would meet LIV Golf officials in the future, no evidence has been made public that this meeting actually took place.
Norman said, “We have many opportunities and initiatives that are coming our way.” “Our goal is to produce the same amount of golf as we did in 2023 (with the LIV) and to continue to do so. We’ll then look at the best ways to build upon what we already have.”
Norman, whether you believe him or not has made it clear that the goal of LIV is to coexist with golf. LPGA players past and present can only hope Norman keeps his word.
Last August, 31-time LPGA champion Juli Inkster said: “I think Norman’s move will ruin the LPGA because most girls would leave, simply because money is a big game changer.”
Annika Sorenstam, a 10-time major winner, said: “If they have the money on the LIV you know that they are going to crush the LPGA.” “Hopefully, they intend to grow the game by working with the LPGA.”
Karrie Webb, a seven-time major champion, said that she would hold grudges against any players who disagreed with her Australian colleague Norman.
Webb stated that if the LPGA suffered because some players started playing on another tour, similar to the (LIV), and the LPGA suffered as a result, I would hold this against them. “I’ve known (Greg Norman) for as long as I can remember, and I don’t believe that he will change. In his desire to succeed, I would ask that he not ruin women’s sport in the process.
Stacy Lewis, former world no. Stacy Lewis, former world No. “Should We Talk to Them? Absolutely. “I think that we will have to coexist in the end.”
LIV Golf is a sport that has been criticised for years as a way of Saudi Arabia attempting to cover up its tumultuous human rights record. The Kingdom is accused of torture, political killings, forced disappearances, and inhumane treatment towards prisoners. Saudi officials and members of the royal family were accused of being involved in the murder and disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist, Washington Post columnist and member of the Saudi government.
How can a woman’s group reconcile doing business in a country that has a horrific record of abuses against women and human rights?
Sorenstam said, “I believe that is one of the main reasons why we should partner up. We want to be able make a difference.”
Golfweek Senior writer Beth Ann Nichols .
