LONDON — LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman says that Jon Rahm’s move to the Saudi-backed circuit will “create a domino effect” of more high-profile players making the lucrative jump.
Reigning Masters champion Rahm last week joined LIV in a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars in a huge coup for the upstart tour.
LIV had already recruited major winners Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, but Rahm was arguably the biggest name yet to leave the PGA Tour.
Speaking from Saudi Arabia to the BBC’s World Business Report, the Australian Norman — the public face of LIV — said there would be “more apples falling from the tree”.
“To have Jon on board is critically important to our next steps into the future and what we want to do,” Norman said.
He added: “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree, there’s no question about it because LIV continues to grow and develop.”
Spain’s Rahm had previously ruled out going to LIV, which held its inaugural season in 2022 and triggered a civil war in golf.
He is reportedly set to earn between $300 million and $600 million.
“Since Jon signed, less than a week ago now, I know my phone is blowing up,” Norman added according to AFP.
“I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board.”
Saudi Arabia’s foray into sport has triggered accusations that it is “sportswashing” its human rights record.
Norman, a two-time major winner, said that Saudi Arabia “really cares” about golf.
“If you see the way they’re embracing the game of golf, they’re investing in the game of golf in their country for their people into the future,” he said.
Rahm’s move came as the PGA Tour and the Saudi backers of LIV attempt to finalise the details of their bombshell merger announced in June.
A deadline of December 31 has been set to agree a framework for the new PGA-LIV joint venture.
“I’m not involved with that framework agreement at all,” Norman said in a separate interview with ESPN.
“I’m over here looking after LIV and running LIV, but it’s great to see private equity coming into the game of golf and investing in the game of golf. I hope it does take place in some way, shape or form. It’s to the betterment of the players.
“As a former player, I’m all about the independent players’ rights. I’m all about the players being able to earn more money and go where they need to go to earn more money or even stay somewhere to earn more money, and you’re seeing that now.
“So, I do hope that some agreement in some way, shape or form comes about, about private equity investing into golf. We’ve got it. Hopefully, it takes place in other institutions as well.”
Norman also confirmed to the same outlet that LIV Golf would remain as a “standalone entity” regardless of whether the merger takes place or not, while dismissing any concern about his own position as its chief executive as “white noise”.
