Officials at LIV Golf refer to the 2022 season as its beta and the 2023 season as its first true season.
Greg Norman, the CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, hasn’t made as much noise this year compared with last. This changed Thursday, when Cam Smith and South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas joined the two-time Major Champion for a pre-LIV Golf Adelaide press conference.
Norman reaffirmed his previous remarks and claimed that the rebranded LIV Golf League would be around for a long time and that despite ongoing legal battles with the PGA Tour as well as DP World Tour that the entity, financially backed Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, wants to “coexist” within the golf ecosystem.
Norman said on Thursday, at the Grange Golf Club where he won his first professional title, “I hope that there will be a resolution because the sport of golf does not need to suffer.” “These guys do not need to suffer.”
“PGA Tour is a fantastic tour. We’re happy to see them. I’m happy that they are doing well. I grew on the PGA Tour. So did Cam. Norman said, “We grew up on the European Tour.” I hope they continue to exist, but they can do what they like. If they keep blocking the road, we won’t get anywhere. We have a great product. “We’ve got money invested today and investment dollars in the future, which will continue to exist because of guys like these.”
LIV Golf, which is backed financially by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, has been criticized for years as a way that the Kingdom uses to cover up its controversial record on human rights. Saudi Arabia is accused of political killings, torture and forced disappearances. It has also been accused of inhumane treatment towards prisoners. Saudi Arabia’s royal family members and government have been accused of being involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist, Washington Post columnist and member of the Saudi royal family.
Bryson deChambeau, when asked about sportswashing Wednesday, said that he believed that the topic had been “kicked to the curb” since answering questions on that subject last year. Norman’s response to the question of why he has never spoken with anyone at the PIF regarding Saudi Arabia’s record on human rights was that golf is a force for goodness.
“I’m the Chairman and CEO of LIV golf Investments and I concentrate on that.” I concentrate on golf. I focus on golf. “My job is to develop LIV and our product on a worldwide front,” said an angry Norman. “I have been involved in golf as a golfer, and also as a golf course designer.
I’ve built golf courses in Third-World countries. I have built golf courses in Communist nations. “Golf is a force of good,” he said. It is a force for good everywhere it goes, with the correct platform. Golf is a positive force everywhere you go.
Malinauskas defended Australia’s decision to host LIV, citing the potential economic impact that the event could have on the region. He also highlighted the fact that Australia and Saudi Arabia enjoy a $3 billion trade partnership.
“But LIV does not represent Saudi Arabia.” LIV is a tournament. LIV is a tour of golf, and that is shaking up the market, which I believe is a good thing,” Malinauskas said. He also suggested sportswashing was only mentioned to protect LIV from its market disruption.
“LIV Golf has come to host a top-notch and elite golf event.”
Smith, who sat next to Malinauskas at the Masters, claimed that LIV fields are “not as strong” than those on the PGA Tour. The offseason additions to this season were disappointing. Only two of the top 50 players at the time, Thomas Pieters and Mito Pereira, made the switch. After acquiring some of professional golf’s biggest and boldest characters, the offseason additions for this season left something to be desired as only two top-50 players (at the time) made the move in Thomas Pieters (No. 50).
Norman boasted about the number of players who are still waiting to be invited to LIV. However, for those that didn’t make it to the cut in 2023, they may have added depth to LIV’s 48-player field, but would not move the needle.
There is a huge amount of interest. Norman said, “We’re filled.” “Our goal is build out those franchise values.”
Norman and the LIV team believe that their franchise model can make its 12 teams profitable as long as it is given enough time to establish itself in golf.
Norman added, “My legacy will be what I do with LIV because it is the right thing to.”
