LPGA Tour respond to Greg Norman's 'player discussions' after LIV plans proposed

24 April 2023 , 16:49

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Greg Norman's claims have been addressed by the LPGA (Image: Idris Erba/LIV Golf/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

The LPGA Tour have revealed they are unaware of any discussions between their playing members and Greg Norman in regard to a potential female LIV Golf league.

LIV has reshaped the world of professional golf over the past year, and has appeared a controversial rival to the PGA Tour in the men's game. The Saudi-funded series has lured in some of the sport's biggest names with mega-money deals and lucrative prize pots on offer.

It remains to be seen as to whether the LIV model would make a move into the women's game, following it's rapid rise across men's professional golf.

The idea surrounding a female LIV Golf league was posed to Norman in Adelaide at the tour's first ever Australian event, and the CEO revealed there were some plans in place to potentially set up a women's tour. "That is a discussion we have internally on a regular basis," he admitted.

"I have personally had discussions with individual LPGA Tour players, Ladies European Tour players, the Ladies European Tour. They love what our product is showcasing. They ask all the time, 'how can we get involved?' We'd love to see a LIV ladies series."

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The plans seemingly looked to have some promise, after Norman revealed he had received support from female stars. In response though, the LPGA are none the wiser to the former world No. 1's claims.

Greg Norman proposed a female LIV Golf league (Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/REX/Shutterstock)

In a statement obtained by Mirror Sport an LPGA spokesperson addressed Norman's claims, commenting: "We are not aware of any specific conversations that have been had with LPGA or LET athletes." Whilst the PGA Tour have been unwilling to cooperate with LIV, it remains to be seen whether a similar saga will play out in the women's game.

Despite playing down talks with it's playing quota, the LPGA Tour did admit they are open to 'listening' to it's members in a bid to grow the female game. The statement continued: "Our goal at the LPGA is to continue to be the leading women’s golf organization in the world and to use our platform to inspire, empower and advance opportunities for girls and women, on and off the golf course.

Would you like to see LIV Golf expand into the female game? Let us know in the comments section below.

Mollie Marcoux is in charge at the LPGA (Getty Images)

"As we work to achieve those objectives, it is our responsibility to our members to listen to and carefully evaluate any opportunities that may be presented and make decisions that we believe are in the best interest of our athletes, fans, sponsors and the organization as a whole." Norman's comments came in a big week for female golf, as the opening major of the year kicked off at the Chevron Championship.

Amongst those competing were British star Georgia Hall, and she also was none the wiser to any recent player conversations with Norman. Addressing the LIV speculation, the 2018 Open champion said: "I haven’t heard that there is discussions going on, especially recently. A little bit last year but not anything recent.”

Joshua Lees