Former Australian golfer Greg Norman recently opened up about his role as the CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf.
The recent interview was explosive, as he revealed that he had lost some of his closest friends after the establishment of the controversial LIV Golf Series. However, he said that he had no regrets about creating a rift in international golf.
Greg Norman appeared on the People I (Mostly) Admire podcast with Freakonomics’ Steven Lewitt.
He said:
“It is the right thing to do. And you can’t run through a brick wall without getting bloody.”
He has never minced words, and he didn’t this time either when criticizing the PGA Tour. Greg Norman believes that LIV Golf is the biggest thing to happen to golf in 53 years.
He added:
“It is the biggest thing to ever happen to the game of golf in over 53 years.”
He further gave the examples of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus:
“And when you think back over time, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and a few others broke away from the PGA of America that the PGA Tour. Why did they do that? They do it as players, right? All their independent rights – to compete. This is no different than what were doing today.”
“But we ruffled the feathers of a monopolist,” – Greg Norman
Greg Norman claimed that LIV Golf had indeed ruffled some feathers, but those of a monopolist, referencing the PGA Tour:
“Yes, we’ve gone and ruffled a few feathers. But we ruffled the feathers of a monopolist. A monopolist who basically controlled the sport for 53 years. I tried to make a bit of a change back in ‘93, ‘94 with the world tour and again ran into the same headwinds back then as what we’re running into now. So they don’t like change.”
He further stated that the PGA Tour did not like competition. He added that, ever since the establishment of LIV Golf, more capital has been invested in the PGA Tour.
This is true since the tour has introduced elevated events and increased bonuses to keep up with the financially splurging LIV Golf. Norman added that players on the PGA Tour should thank the Saudi-backed league for that.
Norman continued:
“They don’t like competition. To see what’s happened today on the PGA Tour, since LIV came onto the scene, a massive amount of capital was injected back into the players on the PGA Tour. So, to be honest with you, the players on the PGA Tour should be giving a standing ovation to LIV, the league, and the players for stimulating this new injection of money.”
Some of the most well-known names in golf, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, have slammed LIV Golf. However, Greg Norman chastised the two for failing to investigate the business case for the new competition.
He went on to say:
“They have never sat down — I know with me they have not; I know with none of my executives or my team — have sat down to understand what the business platform is and what the business platform can deliver to them. They just haven’t seen it. So if you don’t see it, don’t comment on it, right?”
He further added:
“Because everybody’s got an opinion. And I’ve got a great saying: ‘Opinions are like a******s. Everybody’s got one.’ So excuse my French there, Steven. So, if you want to get in a debate with LIV, sit down across the table.”
Greg Norman also lost many friends after LIV Golf:
“Some of my dear friends don’t even speak to me because of this. That’s their choice. If you don’t want to talk to me again, happy days.”
Anyway, the war between the two leagues doesn’t seem like it’s ending soon.
Source: Sportskeeda
