Photo: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR
Former golfer Greg Norman has been named the chief operating officer of a new golf series that has the potential to shake up the sport.
“This is the biggest decision of my life,” the 66-year-old toldESPNof opting to join the newly-formed investment firm, LIV Golf Investments, and its impending series of 10 new golf events that will be part of the Asian Tour.
Norman — who earned 91 victories over his golf career and spent 331 weeks as the No. 1 golfer in the world — will be helping the group sign players before the series launches next year.
“This is only the beginning,” Norman said in a press release. “LIV Golf Investments has secured a major capital commitment that will be used to create additive new opportunities across worldwide professional golf.”
“We will be a cooperative and respectful supporter of the game at every level, and today’s announcement alongside the Asian Tour is the first example of that,” he added.
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The 10 events will be scheduled every year starting in 2022 and will have a fund of $200 million for cash prizes, the press release said.
“This is only the beginning,” Norman said. “LIV Golf Investments has secured a major capital commitment that will be used to create additive new opportunities across worldwide professional golf. We will be a cooperative and respectful supporter of the game at every level, and today’s announcement alongside the Asian Tour is the first example of that.
“I have been a staunch supporter and believer in playing and developing golf in Asia for more than four decades,” he continued. “The Asian Tour is a sleeping giant and we share ambition to grow the series and unlock what we believe is significant untapped potential. We see our promotion of these new events as a vital first step in supporting emerging markets, creating a new platform, rich with playing opportunities that create valuable player pathways.”
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The group reportedly made multi-million dollar offers to some of golf’s biggest stars, including Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose.
source: people.com
