LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman reportedly said the breakaway tour is "not going anywhere" in a meeting with staff following the unexpected announcement that will see the PGA Tour and DP World Tour become partners with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
On Tuesday, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF announced that a new for-profit entity would be formed by the three parties, of which the PIF would have a minority equity ownership share. The new entity would be chaired by PIF governor Yasir Al Rumayyan, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan its chief executive.
The partnership is set to bring to an end ongoing tensions and hostilities between golf's two biggest traditional tours and LIV Golf – the breakaway series created and financed by the PIF and which successfully recruited several of the sport's biggest players.
When asked during a press conference if the new partnership meant LIV Golf still had a future, Monahan said he "can't see that scenario", given the conflicts of interest PIF could potentially face as an investor in the PGA Tour and as the primary financial backer for a rival tour.
By extension, the future has become uncertain for LIV Golf chief Norman, who was only informed of this new partnership moments before Al Rumayyan and Monahan appeared in a television interview with CNBC.
Yet, according to Sports Illustrated, Norman remains defiant that LIV Golf does have a future and shared his confidence with around 100 staff members during a 30-minute call.
"The spigot is now wide open for commercial sponsorships, blue-chip companies, TV networks," the Australian reportedly said.
"LIV is and will continue to be a standalone enterprise. Our business model will not change. We changed history and we're not going anywhere."
Norman's only public reaction to the partnership was a short social media post, where he wrote: "A great day in global golf for players and fans alike. The journey continues!!"
Norman was named chief executive of LIV Golf Investments in 2021 and helped spearhead the launch of the LIV Golf series, which lured several top players with lucrative welcome bonuses and the promise of fewer events for more money played out within a team format.
Norman has been a polarising figure in his role at LIV Golf, with influential players including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy previously calling for his removal if relations between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour were ever to become amicable.
The inaugural LIV Golf season, which began in June last year, comprised eight events and featured the likes of former world No 1 Dustin Johnson, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka – the five-time major winner who last month became the first LIV player to win a major following his triumph at the PGA Championship.
The ongoing 2023 season was expanded to 14 events and will conclude on November 5 with the Team Championship LIV Golf Jeddah.
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Light of the Moon
Director: Jessica M Thompson
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Stahl-David
Three stars
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
