Greg Norman has denied that LIV Golf have made an offer to Rory McIlroy, but suggested that the door remains open for any PGA Tour players who wish to join.
After The Masters, McIlroy’s manager promptly dismissed the report claiming that the Northern Irishman had received an offer from the Saudi-backed series, labeling it as “fake news.”
The four-time major champion has been vocal in his opposition to the breakaway LIV project, despite several top golfers, such as Jon Rahm, joining.
Norman made it clear that there was no offer on the table, but he mentioned that he would be open to talking with McIlroy if he showed interest.
Norman stated prior to the LIV event in Adelaide that no offer was ever extended to him by LIV. He emphasized that there was no need for them to address this matter, as it is merely the usual irrelevant chatter that circulates within the industry.
Norman further expressed that if Rory expressed a willingness to engage in a discussion with them, they would be more than pleased to have a conversation with him. This applies to any other player who shows interest in joining and playing with their team.
It is crucial to comprehend the information regarding the essence of LIV and its potential on a global scale. The responsibility of determining its value lies with you. I had the opportunity to discuss the entire process with a prominent PGA Tour player at his residence, accompanied by another member of my team. The player was greatly impressed by what he witnessed.
He expressed, “This is truly remarkable, contrary to what we are informed in the locker room.” However, despite his admiration, he ultimately chose to remain in his current position. I responded, “That’s wonderful. You have made a decision based on facts. If you find greater satisfaction where you are, then by all means, stay there. Our door is always open if you ever wish to engage in a conversation with us.”
After resigning from his position, McIlroy is now ready to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board. Negotiations are still ongoing regarding a potential partnership with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), but little headway has been made since the announcement of a potential commercial partnership last June. This partnership could play a crucial role in bringing golf back together.
Norman lacks any understanding of the progress of the negotiations and emphasizes that his main focus is on enhancing the reputation of LIV Golf.
According to Norman, “The reason our investor was interested in investing in LIV was due to the immense potential of the franchise model, the possibilities it offered, and the scope for expanding it on a global scale.”
As for me, personally, I am not aware of the current situation there. I have no desire to be informed about it either, as our main focus is on the continuous growth, development, and expansion of LIV. We are currently occupied with planning our schedule for the upcoming years, specifically 2025 and 2026.
Our primary responsibility lies in taking care of our team members, our players, and determining our future direction. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide an answer at this time.
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