Jason Day? Adam Scott? LIV Golf boss Greg Norman talks targets for 2023 season
LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman said that it is up to Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman to grow the Australian franchise on the Saudi-backed series.
LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman revealed that further big-name signings on the Saudi-backed series will largely be down to the players and their relationships.
Speaking after The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide was named as a host of one of LIV Golf's 14 events in 2023, Norman promised that more signings will be made and some players "are on the sidelines" waiting to enter the fray.
As the captain of Punch, Norman held Open champion Cameron Smith responsible for building his franchise along with fellow Aussie Marc Leishman. You could assume other captains such as Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson will look to recruit more players too.
A rumour of Xander Schauffele leaving the PGA Tour was quickly ruled out last week, while it seems 2022 Presidents Cup participant Mito Pereira has chosen LIV after attending a charity day with a number of players from the roster.
Adam Scott is one name Australian golf fans would immediately think of, as is Jason Day, and the former Masters champion has been one of the more understanding players on the PGA Tour when it comes to LIV Golf.
Scott, 42, admitted jeopardising major championship participation is one issue he'd have with making the switch, but he's open to an offer from Smith and Leishman who he joked has "plenty of cash."
Norman, 67, discussed a number of subjects after LIV's announcement for heading to Australia including major championships, Official World Golf Rankings, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy and of course, the links to Saudi Arabia.
As per usual, the two-time major champion danced around the topic of sportswashing. He complimented trade between the South Australian government and Saudi Arabia through agriculture.
He also praised Aramco's investment in golf and cricket, referring to the T20 World Cup final from Sunday morning. Aramco is a state-owned public petrol and gas company whose chairman is Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund.
Norman will do well to ever escape the intense scrutiny that surrounds Saudi Arabia's human rights record, perhaps even more so now he's taking his controversial project to his home nation.
