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LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has slammed the PGA Tour on multiple occasions. Ahead of his rebel series’ second season, the Aussie has once again come out with criticism for the traditional American tour.
Speaking ahead of LIV’s season-opening event in Mexico, Norman has now claimed that he first suggested paying all golfers at PGA Tour events. The golfer-turned-business tycoon stated that he wanted to “pay a per diem” to the players who missed the cut on the PGA Tour.
Norman stated that his suggestion was shot down. He added that the tour officials "looked at him like he was an idiot."
Greg Norman was in discussion with economist and author Steve Levitt on his "People I (Mostly) Admire" podcast when he made the comments. Responding to a query on the effect of his Saudi Arabia-backed league on the PGA Tour, the LIV CEO said:
“I feel sorry, to be honest with you, that there’s players out there who haven’t made it to the level of a very small handful of ’em. Have missed this opportunity of playing for this money that was there.
“There was a reserve pot of money sitting there — for what reason? I feel so sorry for these players.”
Explaining his stance further, he added:
“I wish these journeyman players would get a voice on their own and stand up and fight for their right and ask these serious questions, like — even me as No. 1 player in the world, I was asking questions about, 'Okay, why don’t we pay a per diem to the players who missed the cut on the PGA Tour?'
“These guys fly in, they’re doing their practice rounds, they’re paying for their hotel, they’re paying caddy fees, they’re paying for their own expenses.
“They miss the cut, they’re out. Pay ’em a per diem, for God’s sake. This was going back decades, I suggested this to the PGA Tour. They looked at me like I was an idiot.”
Greg Norman wanted an interactive experience with fans
Greg Norman went on to add details of the various innovations he wanted to bring to the PGA Tour. The LIV CEO stated that he wanted his fans to get more involved in the game. He claimed, however, that the American tour always shot down his ideas.
Norman said:
“I wanted to wear a microphone on the golf course when I was No. 1 player in the world.
“And I said, 'You got to understand, my fans want to hear what I have to say on the golf course. I won’t swear, I promise you. Just let my fans understand and hear. Let the TV viewers sit on the edge of their seat, not laying back on a couch, snoring.'
“Those are the things that I wanted to do. And, you know, they looked at me like I had three heads.”
The Australian went on to state that he “felt sorry for the masses of golfers” who never received financial benefits from the PGA Tour’s reserve funds. Norman claimed that the tour just stayed back and watched the players until LIV Golf entered the scene.
The rebel series' CEO had earlier stated that he was happy the American circuit was making changes to its structure following LIV Golf’s steps.
