LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman's phone has been "blowing up" since reigning Masters champion and golf superstar Jon Rahm decided to join forces with the Saudi PIF. At least, that's what 'The Shark' told the BBC's World Business Report on Wednesday when discussing whether more PGA Tour players would follow Rahm.
“To have Jon (Rahm) on board was critically important to our next steps into the future and what we want to do,” Norman said. “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree - there’s no question about it... I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board. Time will tell.”
Rahm, a two-time major champion and currently No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, was undoubtedly the biggest splash Norman and LIV Golf have made since its inception. The Spanish superstar reportedly signed a deal worth upwards of $500 million with LIV Golf, most of which is guaranteed. Norman believes that Rahm's addition helps validate the product and create interest ahead of the upcoming season, which begins in February.
“It tells you the value of what our platform is, where these PGA Tour players see the opportunity that LIV offers," Norman said. “LIV is a different platform to the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour and the players want to do both quite honestly, so we’ve created something special. It’s a franchise, it’s a team model and they have embraced it 100 percent.”
While Norman's tactics have always revolved around stretching the truth and fluffing up LIV Golf whenever possible, this time feels different. With Rahm netting a deal worth roughly half a billion (!!) dollars, more players are sure to be stirring up conversations with Norman to see what they could be getting to make the jump. Norman also mentioned that Rahm has been getting an influx of players wanting to join his new team.
“I’ll be honest with you. Since [Rahm] signed, I know he’s been inundated by players saying, ‘I want to play on your team, Jon. How do I get on that?"
An opportunity to team up with Rahm while making more money than ever is a tough bargain to turn down. Norman's comments serve as yet another reminder to the PGA Tour that LIV Golf is a real threat to snatch up more and more of its top players.
The Dec. 31 deadline to strike a deal between the two sides is quickly approaching, and a merger seems like the only option for PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan at this time. Get a deal done, or risk losing more superstars to LIV Golf. It's that simple.
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