LIV Golf Invitational Series chief executive Greg Norman says “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” in his latest verbal attack on the PGA Tour.
Norman, 67, has written an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal ahead of LIV Golf Chicago, the controversial series’ fifth $25m event of their inaugural season.
He wrote: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it is also what you get when a serious challenger suddenly confronts a 54-year-old entrenched monopoly.
“On Aug. 24, the PGA Tour responded to LIV Golf by boosting its purses, setting a pay floor, and structuring events so that fans get to see the tour’s best players—all among the innovations we introduced when we launched LIV in June.
“It is a classic case of competition benefiting workers and customers. LIV Golf is the best thing that has ever happened to the careers of professional golfers. The PGA Tour never would have changed without it.”
Norman is referencing the huge changes that were previously announced by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who came under the spotlight this week for his usage of the Tour’s private jet.
The Australian also went on to further explain his take on the situation regarding Official World Golf Ranking points.
LIV currently do not have accreditation, meaning that their players have to play on other circuits to qualify for the majors unless they are exempt.
Norman’s thoughts echo that of Bryson DeChambeau, who in this writer’s opinion made an obscure point this week when he thanked Tiger Woods for ultimately creating LIV Golf.
“The Official World Golf Ranking system determines not only a golfers ranking, but also his qualification for major tournaments and the Olympics,” Norman continued in the Journal.
“These rankings heavily influence how much sponsors pay players. The ranking system must be independent if it is to be credible. With a board dominated by the PGA Tour, the Official World Golf Ranking currently excludes LIV Golf events. That needs to change. If it doesn’t, fans and sponsors won’t know who is the best in the sport.”
Norman recently spoke on this topic at length in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
He said it was hypocritical that ranking points were still handed out at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on the DP World Tour, despite the fact the tournament was reduced to 54 holes after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com
This is a case of the dog that bites the hand that feeds him. Greg norman forgets that the PGA and european tour are what have put him in the position he’s in. Without that he would probably be some worn out club pro running the ball picker on some ausie golf course driving range. And for the rest of them, they also fit in that category. Just saying !!!
Don’t worry, Greg, we’ll know who the best players in the world are! They’ll be players, not entertainers as in LIV exhibition golf!