Norman 'feels sorry' for LIV Golf haters as Burmester tells fans to 'STFU'
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman says he 'feels sorry' for the doubters as a record 94,000 fans attend LIV Golf Adelaide.
Greg Norman admits he 'feels sorry' for those that have ever doubted the LIV Golf League after a record-breaking 94,000 fans attended its latest Adelaide event.
Norman made his feelings be known in an interview with Australian Golf Digest as he watched America's Brendan Steele win the tournament and home-favourites Ripper GC led by Cameron Smith take the team event.
LIV Golf Adelaide saw a reported 94,000 spectators attend all three days of action at the Grange Golf Club.
That is up from 77,000 on debut in 2023.
WATCH: 'That's not the Granny Shack' fans react to hilarious LIV Golf footage!
WATCH: PGA Tour spectator does the unthinkable at Zurich Classic
Aussie Aussie Aussie 👏#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/KiKUVb8jpc
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 28, 2024
While a record for a LIV Golf tournament, it falls well behind the record PGA Tour attendance at the 2018 WM Phoenix Open, which drew 719,179 fans on the ground for the week.
Nevertheless, the 69-year-old Australian was delighted with the latest numbers and how it all played out in Adelaide once again.
🚨📊⛳️ #NEW: LIV GOLF announces record setting attendance for their Adelaide event with 94,000 fans on site over the 3 days of competition.
Have seen some comparisons to the Waste Management mentioned, which has pulled between 500-800k fans over the 4 day tournament during the… pic.twitter.com/uyDfa7zq7d— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 28, 2024
Norman told Australian Golf Digest:
“Vindication is not the right word.
"It’s the ignorance of others who simply didn’t understand what we were trying to do.
"I actually feel sorry for them [doubters] now they see the true value of LIV Golf and want to be a part of it.”
LIV Golf CEO Norman added:
“The support Australia gave me during my own playing career for decades was something I have never forgotten.
“It’s why I brought LIV Golf back home – I did it for them. The people have well and truly spoken. Both individual and team golf is alive and well in Australia and they deserve it. I knew they would support this event.
“I’m feeling extremely proud right now. With what we’ve (LIV Golf) gone through over the past 16 months, both as a league and what I’ve copped personally… the hatred… this makes it all worthwhile.”
.@JonRahmOfficial birdies The Watering Hole 🔥
Thats 4 birdies in his last 5 holes and gets it to 10-under 👀#LIVGolf @LegionXIIIgc pic.twitter.com/AcnDGv3zPI— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 27, 2024
"He could have been a lot more upset with it, but he took it really well. It's probably difficult to request someone who has had 15 beers to aim a water bottle away from someone. That's maybe asking too much."
.@Brendan_Steele IS YOUR CHAMPION DOWN UNDER 🏆
His first individual win on the LIV Golf League 👏#LIVGolf @HyFlyers_GC pic.twitter.com/XxQQmfRA4X— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 28, 2024
Ever heard an entire crowd cheer for someone leaving it in a bunker before? Now you have! pic.twitter.com/PJEjmDVWpd
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) April 28, 2024
Nothing like winning on home soil @rippergc_ 🇦🇺🏆#LIVGolf @AspreyLondon pic.twitter.com/6V5QeDspqy
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 28, 2024
Unsurprisingly it looks like LIV’s best event was again in Adelaide (albeit a caddie did get a full water bottle thrown at his head and Burmester had to tell someone to STFU). Let’s not pretend that big crowds equal growing the game though. You need people to love golf for that.
— Ben Coley (@BenColeyGolf) April 28, 2024
Listen to The Par FORE Podcast presented by GolfMagic:
Or watch on YouTube: