After Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf, Greg Norman feels pretty good.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach reports that Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, thinks that Rahm’s addition not only backs up the Saudi-backed circuit, but also makes it even more likely to grow.
Norman told ESPN on Wednesday, “I think word is getting out among all the players around the world, even the top players, the best players in the world.”
“Let me tell you the truth. Since Rahm signed, I know a lot of players have called him and said, “I want to play on your team, Jon.” What do I do about that?’ I, my team members, and the C-suite in the company have all been flooded with emails. With all my heart, I can tell you that there are between eight and twelve guys competing for two or three spots, or maybe even two places.
Rahm got more than $400 million to join the Saudi-backed circuit. He is the third-ranked player in the world and the defending Masters winner. He will also be in charge of his own LIV Golf team, which will probably have three other players.
It was said that Tony Finau and Tyrrell Hatton would join Rahm on LIV, maybe even on his team. Finau chose to stay on the PGA Tour, though. While this was going on, Hatton committed to the 2024 Dubai Desert Classic, putting an end to reports about LIV Golf for now.
Still, Norman says that a lot of players have shown interest in LIV.
People who are interested in playing said, “They love our format, they love our platform, they love the team spirit, they love the team atmosphere.”
“And to be honest, I’ve heard it ring out very, very loud this year.” And, of course, [Rahm] is a great addition to our team.”
Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, which was a big win for LIV Golf. Bryson DeChambeau shot an amazing 12-under 58 at the Greenbrier, and the league had a hugely successful game in Adelaide, Australia, which is Norman’s home country and a place the PGA Tour has rarely visited.
But getting Rahm is the most important thing LIV has done so far.
Still, LIV Golf might not be over yet. Another player might be signed before the end of the year.
The PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is LIV Golf’s backer, set their own limit of December 31, 2023.
The two groups made their outline agreement public on June 6, 2023. By that date, they set a due date for working on a deal that would bring professional golf together.
And that due date is coming up quickly.
Norman said of the talks, “I have nothing to do with that framework agreement.”
“I’m over here running LIV, but it’s great to see private equity investing in golf.” I really hope that it does happen in some way. It’s to help the players get better.
LIV Golf has already released its schedule for 2024. The first event will be at Mayakoba in Mexico on the first weekend of February. The league will then hold an event in Las Vegas the following weekend, which is also where the NFL Super Bowl will be held.
It remains to be seen if the PGA Tour and the PIF’s self-imposed limit is pushed back to that time. He still hopes that a deal can be made.
“I really do hope that people can agree on some way for private equity to invest in golf,” Norman said.
“I’m all for independent players’ rights because I used to play.” It’s very important to me that the players can make more money and go where they need to go or even stay where they need to stay to make more money. You can see that now.
