Greg Norman takes pity on LIV Golf critics with smug message amid PGA Tour talks
LIV Golf enjoyed arguably their most succesful week yet in Adelaide, and Greg Norman had a simple message for the league’s critics following his return to his native land
Greg Norman appeared to take pity on LIV Golf’s “ignorant” critics following the success of the breakaway league’s event in his home country of Australia on Sunday.
The 54-hole tournament in Adelaide saw LIV rake in a record-breaking attendance, as over 94,000 fans entered through the gates at The Grange across the three days. And the home crowd were rewarded, as the all-Australian Ripper GC won the team title following a first-ever team playoff on the Saudi-backed circuit.
Those in charge of the breakaway league will no doubt see the Adelaide event as their most successful to date. In the aftermath Norman reminded those who had criticised the LIV setup just how far they have come, stating he feels “sorry” for those who have sided against the organisation.
“Vindication is not the right word. It’s the ignorance of others who simply didn’t understand what we were trying to do,” he said. “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 I have never forgotten.
“It’s why I brought LIV Golf back home… I did it for them. 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.”
Norman himself admitted he had personally been subject to hate for taking control of the LIV league, but the week in his home country made it all worth it.
“I’m feeling extremely proud right now,” he added. “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.”
In the individual event, it was HyFlyers star Branden Steele who prevailed, seeing off Louis Oosthuizen by one shot.
For the first time in the league’s history though, the majority of the attention appeared to focus around the team side of the event, after the home favourites got their hands on the title. Led by captain Cam Smith, Ripper GC saw off the all-South African Stinger GC to win their first team title of the campaign.
And in the aftermath, fan-favourite Smith could not speak highly enough of his home crowd. “This week has far exceeded my vision for what was ahead,” the former world No. 2 claimed. “I think I always knew internally that Australia would really embrace LIV with the culture, with the music, with the entertainment, everything that goes on around it.
“I always felt like this was the place where it was going to make it big, and how it’s been the last couple of years has been just insane. Last year I said, I’m biased, this is the best tournament I’ve ever played. I think this year it’s done it again. It’s so cool. We just don’t get to experience this. And being the home team makes it so much more special.
“What these guys have done this week even makes it better again. Yeah, it’s really cool.” There will not be much time for Smith to rest on his week at home though, with the former Open champion and his fellow LIV stars returning to action in Singapore next Friday.
