Former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has been at loggerheads with the PGA Tour since 1994, when he attempted to form his very own breakaway Tour.
31 years ago, Norman held a meeting with his fellow PGA Tour pros about his vision for ‘The World Golf Tour’.
The Australian’s plan for the Tour was to hold eight big-money events during the year featuring the game’s best and highest ranked players.
However, his vision was rebuffed after an intervention from Arnold Palmer, with ‘The King’ suggesting that the move would have damaged the game.
‘The Shark’ finally got his wish some 28 years later when he played a key role in the inception of LIV Golf.
Norman’s role in the formation of LIV angered many of his fellow pros, including some of his close friends like Wayne Grady.
However, the 70-year-old has incredibly thick skin, and the criticism that he received was like water off a duck’s back to him.
PGA Tour strategy opened the door for LIV Golf according to Greg Norman
Norman left his role as LIV Golf’s CEO earlier this year but he remains proud of the work he put in to help get the Saudi-backed golf league off the ground.
Many predicted that the fledgling Tour would not gain any traction and that it would not survive considering the strong competition from the PGA Tour.
However, back in 2022 during an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Norman highlighted how one fatal mistake from the PGA Tour actually opened the door for LIV to flourish.
He said: “Look, this was a market we were going to focus on immediately, because the PGA Tour wasn’t focused on it. They’re not playing in New York, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, which is insane. So, we wanted to make sure that we brought our product to this market, and New York City is obviously the home of the CEOs and the institutional money. So, it was logical that we get here sooner than later.“
Norman certainly has a point.
Some of the best old traditional golf courses are situated in America’s north east and the fact that the PGA Tour do not have a regular stops in New York, New Jersey, Chicago or Boston on their schedule is criminal.
Meanwhile, LIV have held events in Chicago, New Jersey and Boston over the past few years
By not having an event in the Northeastern United States, the PGA Tour left the door wide open for LIV to have a crack at cornering that particular market.
PGA Tour should now fear LIV Golf after 72-hole switch
It was announced earlier this week that LIV would be changing their format to 72-hole tournaments.
LIV are expected to make further changes to their format as well ahead of the 2026 season.
The Saudi-backed outfit should now have a much better chance of obtaining world ranking points.
And if they do gain recognition from the OWGR, they will undoubtedly pose a real threat to the PGA Tour.
Certain players may then be more tempted to link up with LIV Golf. Xander Schauffele is a great example of someone who could jump ship.
Schauffele’s father claimed earlier this year that the main reason his son didn’t join the Saudi golf league was because of the lack of world ranking points on offer.
Norman’s vision for LIV Golf could play out just like he planned over the next few years, if they do indeed succeed with their application for world ranking points.
He may no longer be affiliated with LIV Golf, but he will always be remembered as the driving force behind the startup Tour.
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