Greg Norman’s rebel LIV circuit has made a peace offering to the peak body for golf in Australia, promising a financial commitment to a development program.
After years of turmoil in the men’s professional game, Golf Australia has struck a surprise deal with LIV Golf, which has spent billions of dollars in sign-on fees and prize money to launch a league with some of the world’s best players.
While Norman has previously taken aim at Australian authorities for not entertaining discussions with LIV, there has been a development in South Australia.
According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss it publicly, LIV and Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC franchise will make a financial commitment to My Golf, Australia’s official junior program designed to introduce children to golf.An official announcement is expected within days.
About 80,000 fans will watch LIV’s second Australian tournament, which starts on Friday, and Golf Australia has also established an area to promote the game to kids while the likes of Smith, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka battle for the largest purse ever offered on local shores.
The move is a step in healing the divide in the professional game since LIV launched in 2022.
The PGA of Australia’s two main events – the Australian PGA and Australian Open – are both co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour, with local officials having remained committed to the traditional circuits.
But with participation levels continuing to soar, Golf Australia, which is separate from the PGA of Australia and oversees grassroots development, will take the opportunity to promote its sport to the masses who have flocked to Adelaide for LIV.
Earlier this week, Norman ruled out Australia hosting a second LIV event each year despite the popularity of its Adelaide tournament, which was named the world’s best golf event for 2023.
“I knew the value of Australia, what Australia can represent to the game of golf and what Australia lacked,” Norman said. “Basically, the fans spoke in droves last year. They continue to speak this year.”
Last month, LIV withdrew its long-standing application for the official world golf rankings to grant status to the 54-hole events.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV, and the PGA Tour are still working on an agreement to end the sport’s civil war.
Australia’s newest LIV defector, Lucas Herbert, said the format had been refreshing after he agreed to join Smith’s franchise earlier this year.
“I’m really loving the new schedule, the new tour, the new format and everything [that goes with it],” he said. “There’s definitely no regrets about joining for me. It’s a really exciting thing to be a part of.
“You watch from the sidelines, and it felt like the team aspect was a bit laughable really. You just didn’t think how these guys cared about the team.
“But it was amazing once I came over to experience how much guys do care about the team. It’s been really good to sit down on a Sunda
y night and think about that.
