26 February 2024 , 14:53
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Greg Norman has revealed he has made an attempt to lure Hideki Matsuyama to LIV Golf, and even reached out to the Japanese star immediately after his recent victory at the Genesis Invitational.
Matsuyama won his ninth PGA Tour and first in two years at the Genesis earlier this month, after shooting a remarkable nine-under-par 62 in the final round at Riviera to see of Will Zalatoris and Luke List. The victory was the bounce back to form 32-year-old needed, after drifting outside the top-50 in the world rankings in recent months.
Amid the rise of LIV Golf over the past two years, Matsuyama's name is one that has been linked with a move to the Saudi-backed league more than most, having been backed to follow in the footsteps of Phil Mickelson and co.
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Discussing the approach to the former Masters champion, as well as his recent victory in Los Angeles, LIV CEO Norman told Australian Golf Digest: "We’ve been trying to get Hideki Matsuyama (to sign with LIV Golf). I don’t mind admitting that. When Hideki won (The Genesis Invitational) in LA, what’s the first thing I did? I said, “Congratulations, Hideki. I’m proud of you, mate.”
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Norman's comments on Matsuyama came after the former world No. 1 was quizzed on one of the breakaway league's biggest critics in Rory McIlroy. Norman and McIlroy have built up quite the rivalry since LIV's inception in June 2022, after the Northern Irishman infamously claimed LIV were 'dead in the water' in the months leading up to its debut event.
Despite the previous bad blood, Norman revealed he would be more than happy to congratulate the Northern Irishman if he was to finally win the Masters this April and complete the career Grand Slam.
Greg Norman is the man in charge of LIV Golf (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)"When Rory missed out on the (2011) Masters, when he hit that wayward tee shot on 10, I sent him a message of support afterwards because I felt his pain, and he responded," Norman explained. "And if Rory wins this year’s Masters, I’ll say congratulations on achieving the grand slam, right? That’s sport and that’s sportsmanship, and that’s the humility of the game. That’s me. That’s how I would do it.”
McIlroy is also looking to build bridges, having recently softened his stance on the rival tour in recent months. At the turn of the year, the four-time major winner admitted he may well have been slightly over-critical of the LIV setup and its members to begin with, a group that includes some of his ex-Ryder Cup teammates.
His LIV Golf u-turn then continued at Pebble Beach last month, after revealing that he believes those who decided to made the Saudi switch and leave the PGA Tour should be free to return to the American-based circuit without punishment.