Shark breaks silence with defiant LIV stance

GREG Norman has declared he never had any fears of losing his job as LIV chief executive amid the threat of the merger with the PGA Tour.

Norman, one of Australia’s most famous sporting names, has been with LIV since its inception but was reported to have been left in the dark when the bombshell merger was released to the public.

Documents in a US Senate hearing detailed that the PGA Tour had pushed for Norman to be ousted from his role in the entwined framework going forward.

But the 68-year-old never bought into it.

“I knew it wasn’t true,” the two-time open championship winner told reporters.

“There’s so much white noise running around out there that I paid zero attention to because I know sitting in this seat today, I know every step I’ve made has been for the right reasons, right reasons for the game of golf.

“But golf is the principal reason why what I‘ve done today is right. So I was never in any fear of anybody saying anything or any animus against me or anything like that. Because the business model works.”

Since the announcement of the merger on 6 June between LIV, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, details have been sparse on the future of golf.

The PGA Tour informed players last week that it was continuing to work towards a definitive agreement with the other tours, although Norman is not involved in discussions.

“I have my own personal points [about] what it is, but I’m not involved with it. I don’t want to be involved with it,” he said.

“There’s smarter people involved with that than I am. I just hope it does work. I really do. I’ve always been a believer of that.”

As LIV enters its third season, Norman said he believes it’s never been better-placed.

“All indications are showing that the position of LIV has never been stronger and that the success of our players and our brand has never been in a better place,” he said.

“And as we look forward into 2024, we’ve got a full schedule. We’ve got some places we’ve been to before, but we’ve got some new venues as well and we’re reaching different regions.”

The Saudi-backed competition is also on the lookout for new top-end talent.

“I know, personally I’m speaking to numerous players who want to come to LIV. LIV is independent. I don’t see LIV going anywhere but up,” Norman said.

– SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN