15 June 2023 , 13:44
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Bryson DeChambeau has revealed he has spoken to LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, on the back of the breakaway circuit signing a shock agreement with its long-time rivals at the PGA Tour.
The world of professional golf was rocked last week after Tour commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed that after 12 months of ugly exchanges, the American-based circuit had put their differences with LIV aside. And, in partnership with the DP World Tour, the circuits had agreed to work under one entity funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Amid the groundbreaking announcement, one man who was a surprise omission from the news was the breakaway league's bullish boss Norman.
The former world No. 1 had found himself at the centre of the controversy over the past 12 months, but has kept his counsel following the confirmation of the merger. One of the key men behind the deal, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, revealed he only informed Norman on the agreement just moments before revealing it to the world on CNBC.
Whilst the Australian has remained out of the public eye bar one 14-word tweet, behind closed doors it seems he is confident the general running of LIV Golf will not be effected by the deal. In a message to LIV staff revealed by Sports Illustrated, Norman reassured his colleagues that: "LIV is and will continue to be a standalone enterprise.
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Greg Norman has kept his cards close to his chest (AP)"Our business model will not change. We changed history and we're not going anywhere.” Amid Norman's uncharacteristically quiet approach, LIV star DeChambeau shared at this week's US Open that he had spoken to the Aussie about the news.
"He [Norman] seems spry and happy,” DeChambeau said per Golf Digest. “He's just like, ‘Keep your head down buddy and ignore what a lot of people are saying.’” It remains to be seen what lies ahead for all three tours, and whether they will continue to work with their own separate schedules or co-sanction tournaments.
Bryson DeChambeau is one of LIV Golf's biggest namesOne of the biggest question marks surrounds the eligibility of LIV Golf players on the PGA Tour, after Monahan suspended every player that has made the Saudi switch over the past year. Among them is DeChambeau, but the American is hopeful he can one day return to the PGA Tour.
"It’s highly speculative [that LIV golfers will return to the PGA Tour] but I would love to play the heritage events," he commented.
"Travelers [in Connecticut] has always been a great event, the RBC heritage, the Arnold Palmer [Invitational], Mr. Nicklaus’ event [the Memorial Tournament], [Genesis Invitational] Riviera and the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Probably won't be too many [events], but it’ll be good to be back out there.”