Australian golf icon Greg Norman is stubbornly forging ahead with his rebel Saudi golf league plans despite being roundly cold-shouldered by the sporting community.
Last month Norman announced plans to launch a professional circuit to rival the mighty PGA Tour. The venture has the $3 billion support of Saudi Arabia.
Norman and his LIV Golf Investments have since released an initial eight-tournament schedule, offering a total $349 million in prizemoney to competitors.
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The problem is the world’s best golfers don’t want any part in it, and have condemned Norman and his associates for the entire idea.
Modern golf legend Phil Mickelson is well and truly on the outer with his peers for entertaining joining Norman’s rebel tour.
Other PGA golfers – including Australia’s current world No.5 superstar Cameron Smith – have turned their back on Norman and denounced his allegiance with the Saudis.
Norman, though, says he isn’t fazed one bit.
“Quite honestly, it doesn’t matter who plays, we’re going to put the event on,” Norman told the UK Telegraph.
“There’s a ($5.8 million) first prize. I hope a kid who’s 350th in the world wins. It’ll change his life, his family’s life.
“And then a few of our events will go by and the top players will see someone winning ($8.06 million), ($10.76 million), and say ‘enough is enough, I know I can beat these guys week in week out with my hands tied behind my back’.”
The LIV Invitational series will launch near London in June.
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