Greg Norman Confirms No Second Australian LIV Golf Event, Denies Offering Rory McIlroy Contract

Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf, has confirmed that there are no plans for a second Australian event, despite the success of the inaugural tournament in Adelaide. Norman revealed that while the event generated interest from other Australian states, the "partnership" created in Adelaide was sufficient for now.

Norman also addressed ongoing negotiations between the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the PGA Tour, stating that LIV Golf is "totally separate" from those talks. "We are a stand-alone company being invested in by the same investor that's interested in the game of golf," Norman said, emphasizing that he has no visibility on the progress or implications of the PIF-PGA Tour discussions.

Regarding reports that LIV Golf offered Rory McIlroy a lucrative contract to join the series, Norman categorically denied making any such offer. "We never made an offer to Rory McIlroy. 100%, no offer was ever made to Rory McIlroy," Norman stated. However, he expressed that LIV would be "100% happy" to engage in talks with McIlroy if the Northern Irishman was interested.

Norman shared that another "top, top" PGA Tour player had rejected an offer from LIV, but this would not deter the series from continuing to pursue the world's best golfers. McIlroy has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to the PGA Tour, stating that he has never contemplated joining LIV Golf and sees his future remaining on the American circuit.

Why this matters: The ongoing battle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour has significant implications for the future of professional golf. The potential for a framework agreement between the tours and the PIF could reshape the environment of the sport, while the allegiance of top players like Rory McIlroy remains a key factor in the power struggle.

The talks over a framework agreement between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour have reached an impasse, according to Norman. McIlroy has acknowledged that players who have remained loyal to the PGA Tour should be better compensated, but the details of how this would happen are still uncertain. As the CEO of LIV Golf, Norman's insights into the series' plans and the broader negotiations provide a glimpse into the complex dynamics shaping the future of professional golf.

Key Takeaways

• LIV Golf CEO confirms no plans for 2nd Australian event despite success of 1st
• LIV Golf claims to be "totally separate" from PGA Tour-PIF negotiations
• LIV denies making offer to Rory McIlroy, but open to talks if he's interested
• Another "top, top" PGA player rejected LIV offer, but series continues pursuit
• Talks on framework agreement between tours and PIF have reached an impasse