Greg Norman ‘inundated’ by gamers after Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf

Greg Norman is feeling fairly good after Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf.

Not solely does Norman, LIV Golf’s CEO, really feel that Rahm’s addition validates the Saudi-backed circuit, however he additionally believes it is going to develop much more, in line with Mark Schlabach of ESPN.

“I feel phrase is getting on the market amongst all of the gamers around the globe, even the highest gamers, the perfect gamers on the planet,” Norman stated to ESPN on Wednesday.

“I’ll be sincere with you. Since [Rahm] signed, I do know he’s been inundated by gamers saying, ‘I wish to play in your crew, Jon. How do I get on that?’ I’ve been inundated, and my different crew members, too, [and] my C-suite inside the group. I can inform you, hand on my coronary heart, between eight and 12 guys for about two or three spots and possibly two spots, to be sincere with you.”

Rahm, the third-ranked participant on the planet and the defending Masters champion, obtained north of $400 million to hitch the Saudi-backed circuit. He can even have management over his personal LIV Golf crew, which can probably embody three different gamers.

Tony Finau and Tyrrell Hatton had been rumored to hitch Rahm on LIV, probably on his crew. However Finau determined to remain on the PGA Tour. Hatton, in the meantime, dedicated to the 2024 Dubai Desert Basic, thwarting LIV Golf rumors for now.

But, Norman insists that many gamers have expressed curiosity in LIV.

“They love our format, they love our platform, they love the crew spirit, the crew ambiance,” Norman stated of gamers.

“And to be sincere with you, I’ve seen it resonate very, very loudly this yr. And clearly, [Rahm] is an unbelievable addition to us.”

LIV Golf had a profitable yr, as Brooks Koepka gained the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. The league additionally noticed Bryson DeChambeau shoot an unbelievable 12-under 58 on the Greenbrier and had an overwhelmingly profitable occasion in Adelaide, Australia—Norman’s native nation and a spot the PGA Tour has traditionally disregarded.

However buying Rahm is essentially the most important transfer LIV has made thus far.

Photograph by Michele Eve Sandberg/Getty Photographs

But, LIV Golf might not be completed. They might signal extra gamers earlier than the tip of the yr.

After all, Dec. 31, 2023, is the self-imposed deadline created by the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF)—LIV Golf’s beneficiary.

On Jun. 6, 2023, when these two sides made their framework settlement public, they set a deadline to work in direction of a deal that may unite skilled golf.

And that deadline is approaching quick.

“I’m not concerned with that framework settlement in any respect,” Norman stated of the negotiations.

“I’m over right here taking care of LIV and working LIV, but it surely’s nice to see non-public fairness coming into the sport of golf and investing within the sport of golf. I hope it does happen in a roundabout way, form or type. It’s [for] the betterment of the gamers.”

LIV Golf has already unveiled its 2024 schedule, which begins at Mayakoba in Mexico throughout the first weekend of February. The league will then stage an occasion the next weekend in Las Vegas, the place the NFL’s Tremendous Bowl can even be held.

Whether or not the PGA Tour and the PIF’s self-imposed deadline is prolonged to then stays to be seen. But, Norman hopes a deal comes about.

“I do hope that some settlement in a roundabout way, form, or type comes about about non-public fairness investing into golf,” Norman added.

“As a former participant, I’m all about unbiased gamers’ rights. I’m all concerning the gamers having the ability to earn more cash and going the place they should go to earn more cash and even staying someplace to earn more cash, and also you’re seeing that now.”

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.