Greg Norman in fresh blast at LIV Golf critics

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has taken a huge swipe at critics of the league, insisting that he feels sorry for them.

Norman, 69, was speaking to Australian Golf Digest after watching the Saudi-funded circuit stage another hugely successful event in his native Australia.

A record crowd of more than 94,000 showed up at the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide to see the all-Aussie Ripper GC win the team title, with Brendan Steele taking the individual honours.

It was the second year in a row that LIV has captured the imagination of Norman’s fellow Australians and, watching the action unfold, he was understandably proud.

“Vindication is not the right word,” said Norman.

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“It’s the ignorance of others who simply didn’t understand what we were trying to do. I actually feel sorry for them because they now see the true value of LIV Golf and want to be a part of it.”

“The support Australia gave me during my own playing career for decades was something I have never forgotten. It’s why I brought LIV Golf back home – I did it for them.”

He added: “The people have well and truly spoken. Both individual and team golf is alive and well in Australia and they deserve it. I knew they would support this event.

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“I’m feeling extremely proud right now. With what we’ve (LIV Golf) gone through over the past 16 months, both as a league and what I’ve copped personally… the hatred… this makes it all worthwhile.”

The same Australian Golf Digest report also revealed that Norman is set to fly to the Philippines this week for the latest round of league expansion talks. One of the items high on the agenda? An event in South Africa.

It’s a timely move given that all-South African side Stinger GC – captained by former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen – lost in a playoff for the team title to Ripper GC.

“They are exceptional players and exceptional people who all believe in what LIV Golf is all about,” said Norman of the South Africans. “I’m hopeful their time will come to return the favour on home soil.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor