Disappointing: CEO Greg Norman in tears (!) while making a special announcement, full details 👇.
Several high-profile PGA Tour stars decided to transfer to LIV Golf just over two years ago, and league CEO Greg Norman criticized the treatment of those who transferred.
Greg Norman has described the treatment of those who chose to move from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to LIV Golf as “disgusting” as he vigorously defended his roster of players.
Norman was the man behind the rapid growth of the LIV structure, which received huge support from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The breakaway league’s first event took place in June 2022 and featured players such as Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.
A string of big names followed in their footsteps soon after, with Norman acquiring the services of Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith within weeks of the league’s inaugural tournament at Centurion Golf Club. The decision to move to Saudi Arabia was a big one for all involved, drawing widespread criticism and even facing a suspension from the PGA Tour. Two years later, the fallout between the two tours has eased somewhat, but that hasn’t stopped Norman from slamming the players’ early treatment. “I congratulate the pioneers who came,” he told Bloomberg. “They forged ahead against great headwinds. To be honest, the vitriol and hatred was just disgusting, considering what they’ve done for golf.
“How they’ve been successful in golf and the organization they represent. The PGA Tour’s announcement last June that it had reached an agreement in principle with PIF should finally bring the civil war in professional golf to an end.