Greg Norman to Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy: "You should THANK me!"
LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman says he deserves a thank you from PGA Tour's Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy as he opened up on his critics.
LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman says Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy should be thanking him as he opened up on "the flak" he has received in 2022.
Norman was speaking after it was confirmed that LIV Golf will be heading to Adelaide next April for one of their 14 events.
The Great White Shark, 67, said LIV Golf couldn't have achieved this without the likes of marquee signing Cameron Smith.
Related: PGA Tour "blackballed" Cameron Smith
One of the biggest talking points with LIV Golf in the last few months - other than sportswashing - is whether or not the breakaway tour will be accredited by the Official World Golf Ranking.
LIV essentially tried to pull a fast one before their invitational in Jeddah by announcing a strategic alliance with the MENA Tour.
It gave LIV Golf the confidence their superstars would start getting the points they need in their 54-hole events so they could qualify for golf's four major championships.
LIV are still in the dark about this as the OWGR review their application.
Norman said he's not in direct communication with the majors over this issue but believes the comments from R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers were a "positive sign".
Two-time Open winner Norman said the majors should "stay Switzerland" and echoed the aforementioned Smith's plea for politics to remain separate when it comes to the majors.
Norman said the Masters, Open, U.S. Open and PGA of America should not take sides because they have a responsibility to their broadcasters.
Elsewhere, it's fair to say that Norman has come in for his fair share of criticism since he was announced as LIV commissioner.
Asked how he was holding up on a personal level, he said:
Related: How much they all won during LIV Golf's first season
Norman was once again pressed on the topic of where LIV's money is coming from.
LIV Golf are bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Norman said he believes golf is getting far more attention over this aspect and complained about the hypocrisy of the PGA Tour having title sponsors that work with Saudi Arabia.
The the attention turned to McIlroy and Woods.
Norman said the PGA Tour wouldn't have increased their prize purse for their Player Impact Program [PIP] without LIV.
Woods, 46, has reportedly won the PIP for the second year in a row. LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson finished second last year.
One of LIV Golf's most-mocked players, Pat Perez, recently lashed out at Woods for saying some of the "stupidest s***" about LIV.
Here's Norman's full quote when asked what it would mean to the Australian to see a LIV Golf player win a major in 2023:
LIV Golf will kick off their 2023 season in February. The locations have not been confirmed but there is speculation they could begin in Florida.
Next page: Nine players who changed their mind about LIV Golf
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