The major factor often luring players towards the LIV Golf setup is the eye-watering amounts of money on offer, but CEO Greg Norman believes there is more to it than the cash
Greg Norman has claimed there is ‘way more’ to LIV Golf than the money, after the Saudi-backed series added four new players to its roster including Masters champion Jon Rahm.
Norman attended the league’s inaugural Qualifying School event, LIV Promotions, last weekend at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Three competitors earned spots on the rebel circuit for 2024 by winning the 72-hole competition: Kieran Vincent, Jinichiro Kozuma, and Kalle Samooja.
For the three qualifiers, earning a spot on the LIV roster is undoubtedly a life-changing experience. They will compete for a total of £16 million ($20 million) at each event next year alongside players like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka.
But according to LIV president Norman, Samooja, Kozuma, and Vincent will gain more than just financial advantages from the league while they are there. Norman commanded, “Take the prize money away.” “What matters is that they have the opportunity to spend time in the locker room with world champions and former No. 1 players, listening to them speak about their experiences and learning what it takes to reach that level.
“It’s much more complicated than just money.” Rahm, a former world number one and major champion, will be among the three qualifiers after his shocking transfer to the breakaway league was finally revealed late last week.
The Spaniard joins the ranks of notable players like Mickelson and Koepka as the newest signing with Norman and company. Rahm, however, who reportedly signed a record-breaking £450 million deal, will go down as the league’s marque signing.
And although Norman downplayed the significance of money, Rahm acknowledged that the staggering amount was more than a factor in his choice. “I won’t dodge the question and I’ll say it, obviously the money is very, very nice,” he said on the Pat McAfee Show.
I won’t go into the whole story with you. I still don’t play golf for money, but I do have a responsibility to my family as a husband, father, and family man, and fortunately I have the opportunity to provide for them. Thus, that accounted for a significant portion of it.”
However, Rahm’s remarks were in line with his earlier opinions regarding the LIV Golf configuration. The 29-year-old talked about the incredible sums of money the Saudi-backed league was offering players at the U.S. Open last summer, but he firmly stated he would not be drawn in.
“While money is great, my wife Kelley and I started discussing whether or not our lifestyle would change if I won $400 million after this first incident. No, it won’t alter in the slightest,” he asserted in June 2022. “To be honest, with the money I’ve earned, I could retire right now, lead a happy life, and never play golf again.
I haven’t actually played golf for financial gain before. I want to compete against the greatest players in the world because I play for the love of the game. I’ve always been drawn to legacy and history, and the PGA Tour currently possesses both.”
Leave a Reply