3 weeks ago
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman confirmed Wednesday that nan rival Saudi-backed circuit did not connection a lucrative woody to enlistee 1 of nan PGA Tour’s biggest stars, Rory McIlroy, but he didn’t unopen down nan thought either.
In a Wednesday property convention up of LIV Adelaide successful Australia, Norman was asked astir nan reports that McIlroy was offered astir $850 cardinal pinch a 2% equity successful nan statement to subordinate LIV.
Rory McIlroy connected nan 5th tee during nan 2nd information of nan Masters Tournament astatine Augusta National Golf Club connected April 12, 2024, successful Augusta, Georgia. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
But Norman, joined by erstwhile PGA Tour subordinate Jon Rahm, denied nan report.
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"LIV ne'er put an connection to him," he said. "This is conscionable emblematic achromatic sound that gets retired location successful nan industry."
"If Rory was consenting to beryllium down and person a speech pinch us, would we beryllium happy to beryllium down pinch him? 100% – nary different than immoderate different subordinate who would beryllium willing successful coming connected and playing pinch us."
McIlroy besides denied nan study during past week's 2024 RBC Heritage, a connection that came conscionable days earlier it was revealed that he would beryllium returning to nan PGA Tour's argumentation board, from which he resigned abruptly past November.
Rory McIlroy hits a tee changeable connected nan 3rd spread during nan last information of nan RBC Heritage astatine Harbour Town Golf Links connected April 21, 2024, successful Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
TIGER WOODS TO GET $100 MILLION IN EQUITY FOR STAYING WITH PGA, RORY MCILROY RECEIVING $50 MILLION: REPORT
"I deliberation I’ve made it clear complete nan past 2 years that I don’t deliberation that it's thing for me. Doesn’t mean that I judge group that person went and played complete there," he said astatine nan time.
"I deliberation 1 of nan things I've realized complete nan past 2 years is that group tin make their ain decisions for immoderate they deliberation is champion for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But, personally for me, my early is present connected nan PGA Tour, and it's ne'er been immoderate different."
McIlroy’s softened stance connected nan rival circuit comes amid nan PGA Tour’s continued talks pinch nan DP World Tour and LIV for a imaginable partnership.
Greg Norman during time 2 of nan LIV Golf Invitational - Jeddah astatine Royal Greens Golf & Country Club connected March 2, 2024, successful Saudi Arabia. (Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Norman expressed his assurance successful LIV connected Wednesday, and akin to McIlroy, expressed nary difficult feelings betwixt nan 2 tours.
"It's knowing nan facts astir what LIV represents and what LIV tin present connected a world ground – that’s up to you to find it. I've sat down pinch 1 top, apical PGA Tour subordinate successful his location pinch different personnel of my team, stepping done nan full process, and he was truthful impressed – he said, ‘Well, that's not what we're told successful nan locker room. This is really impressive.’ But he made nan decision. He called maine up 2 days later and said, ‘I've decided to enactment wherever I'm at.’ I said, 'Happy days. You made a determination connected fact. If you're happier complete here, fine, enactment there. Your doorway is ever open. If you want to travel backmost and person a speech pinch us, happy to do that.'"
