The future of Greg Norman‘s LIV Golf continues to be the source of speculation and curiosity at the US Open, but Dustin Johnson dropped a bomb, declaring he’s been told by officials it will continue in 2024.
A day after Aussie LIV star Cameron Smith said he was in the dark in the wake of last week’s shock agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which backs LIV Golf, Johnson was planning for another full schedule of events next year.
“As far as I know, LIV will be going to 2024,” he said at the US Open.
“They’re doing the schedule now. As far as I know, that’s the plan. I’ve talked to the guys … 2024 is going to be a full schedule just like we did this year.
“I just hope we can get all the best players in the world playing at the same time in golf tournaments. Obviously, it’s a little split right now.”
Johnson said he got that directly from Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who brokered the deal with PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan who reportedly has the option to dissolve LIV if he wishes.
Smith said he also got a call from Al-Rumayyan before the new deal was made public, but there were little details about what it would mean for the future of LIV, which he joined for a reported $140m.
“He didn‘t really explain too much. I think there’s still a lot of stuff to be worked out,” he said.
“But there are definitely a lot of curious players, I think, on both sides as to what the future is going to look like.”
Norman’s future in the new landscape remains unclear after he was left out of the negotiations by Al-Rumayyan and was not, like some LIV players, informed before the agreement was announced on CNBC last week.
The Australian golfing legend did tell all LIV staff that it was “business as usual” in the wake of the news but has not commented publicly, other than a tweet declaring it was a “great day” for golf.
Two-time LIV winner Brooks Koepka shed little light on what he knew of the future during a press conference at the US Open, suggesting he even ignored the news to focus on his tilt at a second major for the year at the Los Angeles County Club.
Koepka, who found out about the merger while at the Grove XXIII – Michael Jordan‘s golf course – said he would embrace the “chaos” it had created.
“I enjoy the chaos,” Koepka said.
“The more chaotic things get, the easier it gets for me.
“Everything starts to slow down and I am able to focus on whatever I need to focus on while everybody else is dealing with distractions, worried about other things.
“I wasn‘t going to waste any time on news that happened last week.
“It didn’t matter to me. Like I said, I’m trying to focus on this week. I think that’s why I’ve been really good at majors, honestly.”
