Greg Norman – Addition of Jon Rahm validates LIV format

LIV Golf League CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman said last week's addition of Spaniard Jon Rahm, the third-ranked golfer in the world, is a validation of the tour's 54-hole format that incorporates individual golf and per team.

Norman, speaking to ESPN from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday morning, said several players had contacted LIV Golf League officials to inquire about remaining spots on a team Rahm will captain.

“I think the word is getting around to all the players around the world, even the best players, the best players in the world,” Norman said. “They like our format, they like our platform, they like the team spirit, the team atmosphere. And to be honest with you, I've seen it resonate very, very strongly this year. And obviously, Jon is an incredible addition to us.”

Norman said about eight to 12 players were vying for two or three available spots on the LIV Golf League roster. On Monday, Tony Finau announced on social media that he plans to return to the PGA Tour in 2024. There was speculation that Finau might consider a move to LIV Golf.

Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, has signed a multi-year contract worth more than $300 million, according to sources.

“I'll be honest with you, since Jon signed, I know he's been inundated with players saying, 'I want to play on your team, Jon. How can I make that happen?'” Norman said. “And I was inundated, along with my other team members, my senior management within the organization. I can tell you, hand on heart, between eight and 12 guys for about two or three positions and maybe two positions, to be honest with you.”

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is financing the LIV Golf League, which begins its third season at Mayakoba in Mexico from February 2-4. On June 6, the PIF signed a framework agreement with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour to consolidate their commercial properties, including LIV Golf. The framework agreement has a deadline of December 31.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was scheduled to meet with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor, this week. The PGA Tour Board of Directors informed players in a memo on Sunday that it was continuing negotiations to form a partnership with Strategic Sports Group, a U.S.-based investor conglomerate led by Fenway Sports Group, and that he continued his discussions with PIF officials.

Norman told ESPN that the LIV Golf League would continue as a “standalone entity” regardless of what happens with the PGA Tour/PIF alliance.

“I am not involved in this framework agreement at all,” Norman said. “I'm here to take care of LIV and manage LIV, but it's great to see private equity coming into golf and investing in golf. I hope that happens in some way other. It is for the improvement of the players.

“As a former player, I defend the rights of independent players. I want players to be able to earn more money and go where they need to go to earn more money or even stay somewhere to earn more. money. and you're seeing it now. So I hope that an agreement, one way or another, happens on private equity investment in golf. We have it. I hope that this will take place in other institutions as well.”

The original master agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF gave Monahan the power to determine the future of LIV Golf. Testifying before the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in July, PGA Tour Chief Operating Officer Ron Price told senators that if the tour and the PIF reached an agreement, Norman's position would be deleted.

“We wouldn’t need this type of position again,” Price said.

Norman said Price's comment was unfounded and described it as “white noise.” Norman said he hasn't spoken to Monahan since the master agreement was announced more than six months ago.

“I’m still sitting here,” Norman said. “I always have the support of my investor, and that's how it is. People can say whatever they want without having any knowledge of the outcome.”

When the LIV Golf League released most of its 2024 schedule last month, it did not include tournaments at clubs owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s classes in Sterling, Virginia; Bedminster, New Jersey; and Miami hosted five LIV Golf events during the tour's first two seasons, including team and individual championships in 2022 and 2023.

LIV Golf did not identify venues for a March tournament in Saudi Arabia or an April 5-7 tournament in the United States when announcing last month. Details of the season-ending individual and team championships have also not been released.

When Norman was asked why his tour wouldn't stop during a Trump class in 2024, he told ESPN: “I didn't know that was the case.”

When Norman was asked if LIV Golf would indeed play at a Trump course next year, he replied, “You'll have to wait and see.”