Greg Norman says “it’s over to” Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman to convince Adam Scott to join LIV Golf after negotiations with the star Australian broke down earlier this year.
The 2013 Masters winner was a key target for Norman’s Saudi-backed breakaway — and Scott was said to be close to making the jump before ultimately backing out.
His compatriots Smith and Leishman, meanwhile, signed up at the start of the month and will spearhead LIV Golf’s push into Australia from 2023.
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Asked by the Sydney Morning Herald if he’s still interested in acquiring Scott’s signature, Norman said that he’s now passed on the responsibility.
“How can I answer that question? There were discussions early on with Adam and I think right now with Marc and Cam being the principals of Team Australia, I think quite honestly it’s over to them,” Norman told the publication.
“They have to build out the most solid team which gives them the best value going forward. Obviously, they’ll come to us and ask us questions…”
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Smith, who won the Open Championship this year and rose to world No.2, was lured to LIV Golf by a reported $A140 million sign-on fee.
But also key to the LIV Golf model is a stake in one of the tour’s 12 franchises, which will compete in a 14-event global league from next year.
Norman told the publication that a 25 per cent stake in all-Aussie outfit Punch GC was integral to the successful pitch given to Smith and Leishman.
The ownership stake now incentivises Smith and Leishman to grow the franchise in Australia to maximise their own profits.
“(Smith) sees the market that Australia presents and the market which, quite honestly, has been starved of high-quality players and new value for the game of golf,” Norman told Sydney Morning Herald. “The Presidents Cup comes in there once every seven to 10 years, sucks the economy dry and then disappears.”
Meanwhile, Scott appears set to stay on the PGA Tour having recently been part of a Tiger Woods-led meeting of 20 select players who discussed how to fight against LIV Golf.
Scott will also be a leading member of the International team to take on Team USA at the Presidents Cup from next week.
Norman also told the publication that a decision on the venue for LIV Golf’s first Australian event is imminent.
The event will take place two weeks after the Masters in April, and is expected to be held either in Sydney or the Gold Coast.
