7x PGA Tour winner Scott Simpson reveals how Greg Norman transformed from a “fun” and “nice guy” to a “jerk” during his career days. In an interview with Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, Simpson ripped the LIV Golf CEO for being “grumpy and entitled” after his success with money.
He talked about why he doesn’t like Norman now and has become anti-LIV since its inception in 2022. During the interview, Simpson admitted to liking Norman but revealed how “he got more successful and the more money he made, he got more miserable.”
Simpson said that the former Australian pro-golfer was a “fun” guy and he was good on the course. But the more success he had, the more “miserable” he became both as a person and on the field. “Nobody liked him ,” Scott Simpson reveals on Greg Norman’s then-transformation.
He got miserable on the course. It was just like, why are you out here? He was just grumpy and entitled. Just getting all the money, I think, kind of changed him and stuff…Norman just became kind of a jerk. Nobody liked him. Scott Simpson during interview with Adam Schupak.
During the interview with Adam Schupak, Scott Simpson was asked why he hates LIV Golf and is bothered by it. To his defense, the 7x PGA Tour winner blasted the players who switched to LIV from PGA and yet complained about lost opportunities and distant behavior.
He slams the players for not thanking the Tour that made them famous and coveted by the Saudi-backed league. He said he doesn’t know why “they’re all mad at the Tour and stuff” as “it’s the PGA Tour is where you made it.” He further said,
The Tour is what made (the LIV players) famous. The Tour is what made them millionaires. What are you complaining about? Scott Simpson during interview with Adam Schupak.
Scott Simpson says he doesn’t have an issue with players leaving the Tour, but they should “thank the Tour” for making them famous and helping them rise in the OWGR. “That’s why LIV is paying you money, because you won on the PGA Tour” he said.
Simpson revealed the reason he loves the PGA Tour is because players have to earn their worth and are not handed easy honors and stability. He points out golf legends Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, noting how they became “the best players in the world” through their effort and commitment to the sport.
Greg Norman took to X to share his LIV Golf highlights from 2023, here’s a summary of the key highlights:
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) December 31, 2023
• The best & most important player in the world today – Jon Rahm – joins our LIV family
• LIV players showed they are among the best players in the world – bar… pic.twitter.com/I5JhCXt4HO
He boldly stated that he “can’t stand what LIV has done to golf”. Simpson questioned, “How do you fight someone that can lose $2 billion a year and don’t care?” The PGA-LIV merger talks are also on the horizon with 2024 starting. Norman has yet to reveal the full 2024 LIV Golf schedule, but he is confident that the Saudi product will not lose ground anytime soon.
The merger talk which was expected to happen by the end of 2023, got pushed back yet again. Both players and fans are anticipating an outcome soon, as no matter what the final decision will it, it’ll change the landscape of the sport in the future. With pro golfers exiting the PGA Tour in numbers, change is inevitable.
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