Greg Norman's revelation about more defections after Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf
The LIV Golf CEO's claim comes after a move from Spain's World No.3 that sent shockwaves around the sport.
LIV Golf chief Greg Norman says Jon Rahm's bombshell AUD$448 million defection is set to spark an influx of PGA Tour stars to the Saudi-backed competition. Rahm sent shockwaves around the golfing world when he became the most high-profile recruit to Norman's breakaway league, signing for a reported three-year, US$300 million ($A448 million) deal, most of which is guaranteed. Initial reports put that figure well above AUD$900 million.
The Spanish World No.3 had previously spoken out against joining LIV Golf and trumpeted the prestige of competing on the PGA Tour and for the most sought-after prizes in golf, namely the four majors. However, LIV Golf's proposed merger with the PGA Tour changed the golfing landscape and Rahm said the opportunity to compete in team golf and help "revolutionise and innovate" the sport was too good to refuse.
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Rahm is a hugely popular and influential figure in the sport and a hero within Europe after his Ryder Cup heroics against the Americans. LIV Golf League CEO and commissioner Norman claims the Spaniard's signature will create a "domino effect" and that his phone has been "blowing up", adding that "eight to 12 players" were keen to follow the 29-year-old across from the PGA Tour.
“To have Jon (Rahm) on board was critically important to our next steps into the future and what we want to do,” Norman told the BBC’s World Business Report. “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree - there’s no question about it, because LIV continues to grow and develop.
“Since Jon signed, less than a week ago now, I know my phone is blowing up. I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board. Time will tell.”
Greg Norman says players keen on joining Jon Rahm's team
ESPN reports that Rahm will be given an ownership stake in a 13th LIV Golf team and Norman says there is plenty of interest from players currently on the PGA Tour to join the Spaniard's team. "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?'" Norman told ESPN.
LIV begins its third season at Mayakoba in Mexico on February 2-4, while Aussie golf fans will get the chance to see Rahm in action in Adelaide in April, two weeks after his Masters defence at Augusta. Norman conceded LIV’s 2024 roster is almost full but indicated there were still spots for a handful of players. The Aussie golf legend says Rahm's addition further validates LIV's 54-hole format and team competition.
“It tells you the value of what our platform is, where these PGA Tour players see the opportunity that LIV offers," Norman said. "All the guys that play on LIV are just so happy about the decision that they’ve made.
“LIV is a different platform to the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour and the players want to do both quite honestly, so we’ve created something special. It’s a franchise, it’s a team model and they have embraced it 100 per cent.”
Fred Couples slams Jon Rahm's LIV Golf move
Norman's comments come after a stinging swipe at Rahm from American golfing legend Fred Couples, who questioned the motivations behind the Spaniard's eye-watering LIV Golf agreement. Rahm was a staunch and public supporter of the PGA Tour and his defection represented a massive backflip, which Couples insists was all about the ludicrous sums of money involved.
“My ass," Couples said on SiriusXM's PGA Tour radio show this week, speaking about the reasons Rahm gave for leaving the PGA Tour. "$100 million (USD) doesn’t get it, $200 million doesn’t get it, $300 million doesn’t get it, but for $400 million it’s a great product, and it’s a great show?
"Tell me the next guy, whether it’s Tony Finau, ‘I’m going for free, boys. I love this Tour. I don’t like the PGA Tour anymore’. No one’s gonna do that. What does that tell me? It tells me it’s all about money, which is fine. But don’t sit there and go on and tell me they’re 'changing the game'. What are they changing?
"Actually, for 50 years, golf has been changed. Arnold Palmer changed it. Jack Nicklaus changed it. Tiger Woods changed it. The LIV Tour ain’t changing a thing."
with agencies
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