LIV Golf's Greg Norman dismisses latest claim: "Unfounded"
The two-time Open champion has rejected the claim he will leave LIV Golf in the future despite previous reports suggesting his days were numbered.
Greg Norman says a previous remark about his future at LIV Golf was 'unfounded' as he claimed Jon Rahm's phone is 'blowing up' with PGA Tour stars wanting to join the Spaniard's team.
Cast your mind back to July and two high-ranking PGA Tour officials were being grilled before U.S. lawmakers in the wake of the simply remarkable announcement the circuit had agreed to try and make peace with their Saudi-backed rival by creating a new, for-profit golf company.
There were a number revelations from the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations' hearing into what transpired behind-the-scenes between the golf tours.
Just some of those included:
- Rory McIlroy meeting the PIF leader on his own in Dubai
- A best of both worlds presentation which involved McIlroy and Tiger Woods owning LIV teams
- A bizarre request for PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to be made a member at Augusta National
Jimmy Dunne and Ron Price were the two PGA Tour officials who were asked questions about the potential deal.
If reports are to be believed, the duo have since been put out to pasture.
Another revelation included Norman's position being terminated.
Emails from Dunne, Price and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan revealed how they wanted Norman gone.
Another official, Ed Herlihy, wrote an email to Dunne which included the line: "I raised the idea with Jay of you overseeing LIV going forward. He really liked it."
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Fast-forward to December 2023 and Norman is still in his position.
He described the previous comments as 'white noise', telling ESPN: "I'm still here. I still have the support of my investor, and it is what it is.
"People can say what they want to say without having any knowledge of the outcome."
He continued: "I'm not involved with that framework agreement at all.
"I'm over here looking after LIV and running LIV, but it's great to see private equity coming into the game of golf and investing in the game of golf.
"I hope it does take place in some way, shape or form. It's to the betterment of the players.
"As a former player, I'm all about the independent players' rights.
"I'm all about the players being 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 that now.
"So, I do hope that some agreement in some way, shape or form comes about, about private equity investing into golf.
"We've got it. Hopefully, it takes place in other institutions as well."
"I want to play on your team, Jon"
Norman was also understandably thrilled with Rahm's decision to join LIV.
The reigning Masters champion has reportedly cost the Saudi PIF half a billion dollars.
Norman said of the Spaniard: "I think word is getting out there amongst all the players around the world, even the top players, the best players in the world.
"They love our format, they love our platform, they love the team spirit, the team atmosphere."
He added: "I'll be honest with you, since Jon signed, I know he's been inundated by players saying, 'I want to play on your team, Jon. How do I get on that?'"
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