Despite the ongoing framework agreement casting doubt on the professional golf industry’s future, Greg Norman is eager for LIV to grow and improve by 2024.
Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf, has stated that he hopes to replicate the triumph of the breakaway circuit’s inaugural event in Adelaide earlier this year throughout the entire schedule in 2024.
Adelaide will serve as the host city for the inaugural edition of the Saudi-backed series when it travels to Norman’s home country in April. The 54-hole competition was witnessed by an electrifying Australian audience at The Grange, making it arguably LIV’s most successful event to date.
The Adelaide course’s par-three 12th hole, which the tournament organizers dubbed the “Watering Hole” because of its terracotta horseshoe-shaped surround and grand stand filled with bars, was responsible for most of the atmosphere.
Famously, the now-retired LIV star Chase Koepka, the younger brother of five-time major champion Brooks, made history in round three by hitting a memorable hole-in-one. Witnesses threw their drinks onto the playing surface, evoking scenes reminiscent of the famous 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on the PGA Tour.
Many people enjoyed the Watering Hole and the event, so Norman is hoping that in 2024 he can make it even better and transcend the same vibe for all 14 of the events that are scheduled. “I think the success of the watering hole could be expanded because of its popularity,” he told Australian Golf Digest.
“I believe you can draw in more onlookers there… LIV Adelaide served as the standard by which the remaining 13 events worldwide were measured. Because of this, LIV’s authentic culture—which encompasses energy, lifestyle, and the incorporation of entertainment fandom—was established.
Adelaide was the one who stepped up to take advantage of everything that was there. I believe it could be very possible to think like that and work together with the Premier’s Office and his staff. According to Norman’s remarks, things are going to continue as usual with the LIV setup going forward in 2024.
Since the PGA Tour announced in June that it had reached a shock framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), the future of professional golf has remained uncertain in recent months. As a result of the agreement, the Tour will collaborate with its friends on the DP World Tour and join forces with its competitors at LIV.
With negotiations ongoing, doubt has been cast over the deal in recent weeks amid, with PIF seemingly facing investment rivalry elsewhere to work alongside the PGA Tour. Late last month, Fire Pit Collective’s Alan Shipnuck reported that the ongoing framework agreement was ‘falling apart’ amid interest from elsewhere.
Both the Tour and PIF set a December 31 deadline for the deal to be signed off, but numerous reports have since claimed that this is set to be extended due to the slow nature of the discussions. Per Bunkered, the delay is said to be ‘not necessarily be a bad thing’, with the two sides keen to reach an agreement that suits all involved.
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