After insulting the Saudi Government and openly admitting he was using the now named LIV Golf Invitational Series as leverage against the PGA Tour’s “obnoxious greed”, you might have thought Phil Mickelson would be persona non grata to the breakaway league.
Greg Norman and LIV Golf have announced an eight-tournament, $US250 million ($A343 million) series—called the LIV Golf Invitational—which will kick off at the Centurion Club outside of London the week before the U.S. Open
The Players Championship boasts the best field in golf, but the player who dominated commissioner Jay Monahan’s press conference Wednesday (AEDT) is one who isn’t here.
LIV Golf investments CEO Greg Norman chastised PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and warned “This is just the beginning” in a strongly worded letter distributed Friday.
If the Saudi golf league controversy has proven anything, it’s that Greg Norman is and will remain one of the most complicated figures in golf history.
The viability of a golf league to compete with the PGA Tour has always hinged on a single point: How many tour pros would be willing to play on the rival circuit?
Rory McIlroy harshly criticised Phil Mickelson’s controversial comments regarding the PGA Tour and the rumoured Saudi-backed golf league, calling them “naive, selfish, egotistical, arrogant.”
In a letter seen by Australian Golf Digest, Norman thanked the 25 players for “taking a positive and important step in changing the way in which professional bodies should reduce controls that limit the game’s ability to flourish at a truly global level.”
Golf Saudi officials sent out a press release trumpeting a list of 25 top players – including 11 Major champions – who they say have committed to playing at Royal Greens Golf Club near Jeddah.
Australian Golf Digest
