By Fred Altvater
A detailed piece written by Global Golf Post’s Publisher, Jim Nugent calls for the firing of Greg Norman, who has failed to deliver on any of his promises to the LIV Investment group. Thus far, his attempts to lure any of the top names in golf to defect to the new super league have been futile.
Watch an interview with Jim Nugent on Back 9 Report: https://youtu.be/4dpnqKOQjDU
Jim Nugent, founder and publisher of Global Golf Post reports that the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, with Greg Norman at the helm, seems to be in full retreat. Norman’s claims that top name players would jump at the chance to join a rival tour offering guaranteed money, plus fewer tournaments in which to compete, has not enticed any of the top players to jump from the PGA Tour, or DP World Tour.
In fact, every attempt to recruit a big name has been thwarted. When it appeared Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau were ready to sign on with the LIV Golf Invitational Series, they immediately decided to stay home and pledged their loyalty to the PGA Tour.
Norman has been left with older players, who’s time at the top is well past. It has also been reported that the LIV Investment Series is offering top amateur collegiate players Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) guarantees to fill spots in tournaments.
Nugent surmises that Augusta National Golf Club may have been a catalyst to influence players to shun the new league.
The Masters is an invitational tournament. Augusta National officials have always invited past major champions to compete, but that is a tradition, not an official policy. Former past champions, like Dustin Johnson, may not be welcome at future Masters Tournaments, if they jumped to the rival league.
“Norman tried to schedule a meeting with Augusta National Chairman, Fred Ridley, but was rebuffed until he made it good with the other institutions, meaning the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.”
The absence of two-time Masters Champion, Phil Mickelson from the 2022 event, whether of his own accord, or at the behest of Augusta National, strongly confirms the fact that future appearances at The Masters are not guaranteed. This final fact seems to have put an end to the rebel uprising.
When the dealing was done, it seems Augusta National held all the aces in this high-stakes game.
Phil’s attempt to lure other PGA Tour members to the new league solely to gain leverage to obtain personal media rights from the PGA Tour, left players with a sour taste in their mouth and has caused Mickelson’s exile from the tour, for the time being.
Norman’s Saudi bosses at the LIV Investment Fund must be disappointed and embarrassed.
“The Saudis didn’t sign up for a circuit of amateurs and aging tour players. They expected Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, DeChambeau and Mickelson. Instead, they have to settle for Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Kevin Na and a bunch of American college players.”
LIV’s investment in the Asia Tour is a plus for that part of the world, but it is outside the parameters of the existing order of golf in the world. The ultimate winner of the Asian Tour will not be welcome in major championships, the DP World Tour, or the PGA Tour, thus there is no natural progression.
“Despite stating over and over by Norman that his involvement is about growing the game and providing more and better playing opportunities for tour professionals, there always has been a sense among those paying attention that his (Norman’s) involvement is about one thing and one thing only: settling a 30-year-old grudge with the PGA Tour.”
Nugent surmises, LIV Investments may be best served to look elsewhere for a new leader. Someone experienced in international professional sports and media that can offer a return on their $500 million investment, rather than a sharp stick in the eye.
Quotes from April 18, 2022, Global Golf Post, “Golf Saudi Must Jettison Norman,” written by Jim Nugent: https://bit.ly/3JU1shn
