Greg Norman’s rebel LIV Golf series has discussed bringing up to three events to Australia each year to capitalise on interest in the circuit outside the United States.
Less than a fortnight before the Saudi-backed venture hosts the richest tournament ever played in Australia, two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson has backed a proposal to add extra events in the country.
While it’s more likely Norman’s league will look to add a second Australian event as early as 2024, Watson said the 12 team captains had been briefed on plans to extend the southern hemisphere swing.
“They’ve talked about they want three down there because the want is so high,” said Watson, who missed the cut at Augusta National on Sunday morning (AEST). “I’m not saying we’ll end up doing that, and you’ve got to remember we’re a small entity.
“[But] if people want us, why not? Nobody is bad mouthing us down there so that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
LIV Golf has put more tickets on sale for their Adelaide event at The Grange Golf Club later this month after initial corporate and general admission packages were sold out.
LIV golfer Bubba Watson and (inset) chief executive Greg Norman.
They will even allow fans to attend to the Pro-Am day, which has been closed to fans in LIV’s first season and events this year. The players will head to Singapore for an event after LIV’s Australian debut.
“It’s definitely going to be the biggest ruckus we have,” Watson said. “It’s exciting when people are pumped about it.
“The whole golf industry is exhibition. This is exhibition today. It is The Masters, but it’s an exhibition. We’re entertainers and that’s what we’re doing. Everyone wants to see shots pulled off. It’s what sport is about, entertaining.
“When people want us there, we want to be there as many times as we can to make them happy.”
Watson, who leads LIV’s Range Goats franchise, has renewed calls for a team-style event in which the PGA Tour’s best players take on LIV defectors.
It could pit the likes of Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods in a teams event against the likes of LIV’s Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.
“We’re at a point right now where it’s competition,” Watson said.
“You’ve got a coffee shop here and a coffee shop over there, and you’ve got the almighty dollar right there. They’re not really upset about the people, they’re upset about the income. Let’s be honest.
“Once that all gets settled and we kind of shake hands and hug it out, then yes it could be talked about. Then it hurts the almighty dollar of the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup so it will be a while before it can happen.
Pressed on the PGA Tour and LIV finding common ground, Watson said: “It’s got to happen at some point. When is the question. You can only go for so long. Somebody’s going to have to take a step back and try to figure it out.”
Watson was one of a number of LIV players to wear the logos of their teams on apparel at The Masters, with 12 out of the 18 players from the breakaway league making the cut.
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