Greg Norman claims LIV Golf players increased viewership at The Masters

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman claims that the reason for the increased viewership at this year's Masters was a result of LIV Golf.

Lara Kuipers

22 Apr 2023

Greg Norman claims LIV Golf players increased viewership at The Masters

Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf, says he believes his league is the reason The Masters ratings were up for the 2023 tournament.

A total of 18 LIV Golf players were in the field at The Masters this year, with three finishing in the top six.

Brooks Koepka was in contention all week after missing the cut at last years' tournament, and he went on to finish tied for second, four shots back of winner Jon Rahm.

Two birdies in a row and Brooks Koepka moves to solo-second place. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Nf4eyk9oz7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2023

Phil Mickelson put on a late tournament charge up the leaderboard and finished alongside his fellow LIV Golf player in second place.

Patrick Reed was the third of the PGA Tour's rival league to break the top six, finishing tied for fourth with Jordan Spieth.

Following the conclusion of the tournament, CBS announced a solid increase in viewership at this year's Masters Tournament.

And Norman, while speaking to media ahead of this week's LIV Golf Adelaide event, says he believes that was because of LIV.

Norman was asked about the relationship between LIV Golf and the DP World Tour, following the news that LIV Golf had lost its arbitration case against the latter.

"I do hope there gets to a position where there is resolution to this, because the game of golf doesn't need to suffer. These guys don't need to suffer. OWGR doesn't need to suffer."

He added:

"Augusta National recognized that, and look what happened with their ratings when the LIV players came in. It was up 19 percent. Who was the benefactor of that? Augusta National, right?

"So LIV is the force for good, and now guys want to play. They want to play in the majors. You don't think CBS, NBC, you don't think the corporations that sponsor those major championships don't want Cam Smith, the Open Champion, in their major tournament? Of course they do. It's a crying shame if they take their shallow view of -- caused by LIV, where because of another product they're going to ban these guys? Well, I think Augusta National proved that case point very clearly."

After two rounds at LIV Golf's first Australian tournament happening this week, Talor Gooch leads by an incredible 10 strokes.

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