News
Greg Norman’s plan to change pro golf after $2 billion Saudi boost; PGA Tour blocks LIV releases
On Tuesday, LIV Golf announced a new schedule for 2023-2025 aided by $2bn (£1.6bn) of extra funding from Saudi Arabia.
The new schedule includes 10 events in 2023 followed by 14 events in 2024 and 2025. The tournaments will take place across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and North America. In regards to the newly secured funding and schedule, Norman said: “We have a long-term vision and we’re here to stay.”
Speaking to the BBC, the Aussie outlined his plan to change the face of golf with his new tour, saying:
“The whole notion is to changing the look and the whole presentation of the way the game has been played over the last 53 years,” the two times Open champion said. His tournament will be played over 54 rather than 72 holes and will include a team element with players teeing off simultaneously around the course in a “shotgun start”.
“We’ve just got approval to launch our schedule into 2023, 24 and 25. We’ve got $2bn to back that up so we have additional funds in place.”
“And just because we are talking about 23, 24 and 25, we’re looking way beyond that too. We are looking at decades.”
The first event begins on June 9th Centurion Club outside of London.
“We have 19 of the top 100 players committed to Centurion,” Norman stated. “We have five of the top 50, a success rate that a lot of people didn’t think we’d be able to achieve.”
Among the names that have reportedly requested a waiver to play in the event are Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Martin Kaymer.
The entire field for the event is expected to be released next week during the PGA Championship.
Hours after Norman’s intentions went public, the PGA Tour sent a memo to its players telling them that they would deny any requests for releases to play in LIV Golf events and that anyone who does would face disciplinary action:
“We have notified those who have applied that their request has been declined in accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations. As such, tour members are not authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event under our Regulations,. As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players.” PGA Tour Senior Vice President Tyler Dennis wrote to players in the memo
In response, LIV Golf released a statement from CEO Greg Norman calling the Tour “anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive”:
“Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament. This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is purportedly ‘to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.’ Instead, the Tour is intent on perpetuating its illegal monopoly of what should be a free and open market. The Tour’s action is anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive. But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally.”
In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.
They wrote:
“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”
Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
- jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
- jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
- Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”
In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.
@DTorres asked:
The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?
Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.
We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
- bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
- CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”
A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.
As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.
Let’s get to the gifts.
Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo
We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.
STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover
If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.
Why Golf: Putting Thing
When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.
OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes
Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!
Therabody Theragun Relief
A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.
World Cup golf apparel
Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.
FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes
Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.
Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker
Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
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Bone Sawman
May 12, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Would Ford or GM chop up their competition and put them in a suitcase and carry them off property!?
Bob
May 11, 2022 at 1:02 pm
Wanted: Dying worthless petrodollars searching for a bagholder.
Rollover told the story 40 years ago.
Tom Newsted
May 11, 2022 at 10:50 am
Another way to look at this would be to say that this is like the NBA or the NHL forbidding players to go play in the European and Asian leagues. Both the NHL and the NBA don’t do that because they know that their leagues is the biggest and brightest stage for a player to be on. If Jay Monahan and the PGA believe that their stage is the biggest and brightest they shouldn’t worry about it. Most Pro players want to play and win majors and to do so they need to win tournaments on the PGA Tour to qualify. To me it shows how insecure the PGA and Monahan really are. I doubt that you would have this huge exodus of players running to the SGL just because the money was a little higher. If I was a pro player I would be measuring my career in wins and major championships not by money or what part of the world I played in.
Michael
May 13, 2022 at 9:32 am
No Tom, that is not another way to look at it. Your comparison makes no sense. Apples to oranges. I certainly hope you make it 100% clear whatever you write is strictly your personal opinion. Your comments here give the impression you don’t know too much about running a business or professional sports leagues. They also make it seem you have a personal grudge against Monahan and that makes it hard to take what you say with any sense of seriousness.
Tom Newsted
May 11, 2022 at 9:31 am
This is an absolute strong arm tactic and it proves what I said in my up coming article that the PGA and more specifically Jay Monahan is a bully. What if he signs a deal with an equipment manufacture is he going to tell the players they can only use a Titleist or Callaway ball because that’s what he wants on his tour? The PGA should welcome the competition as an opportunity to prove its product is better. Or maybe use the competition the SGL would provide as a way to refine and improve on their own brand just like any other businesses do that compete against one another. Would Ford, Chrysler and GM be as good today had they not been forced to improve their product in the 80’s to keep up with the Japanese cars that came into this country? Or to take it back to golf how much better are all the clubs and balls that come out each year because the manufactures have to build better products to compete with one another.
Michael
May 12, 2022 at 10:17 am
The thing about opinions is everyone has one, especially sports journalists.
Your comparisons border on irrelevant. Apples to oranges in just about every example you gave
More accurately, what you are saying is the equivalent of if someone works for Ford, Ford should allow them to go work for GM while they are employed at Ford and them let them come back any time they choose.
Greg Norman is long known as one of the biggest aholes in the world of golf. He is on a revenge mission that will fail and the boy would would be king and all his billions will not change what Norman is, his failures or that Norman is more well known for his Masters choke than two majors.
He and the boy king deserve each other. From your posts, I would think you should join them.
Michael
May 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
That’s pretty stinky garbage you wrote Tom.
Did you hear Norman press conference today where he dismissed the Kashoggi murder as “a mistake?”
Bob
May 12, 2022 at 6:45 pm
Good for Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée to speak out against the LIV Bonesaw Tour.
This was NOT a mistake Greg. Making an example out of a journalist as a warning to other journalists is NOT a mistake. It is terrorism. Saudi Arabia was the country “officially” most directly connected to 911. What a coincidence.
Satan is rubbing his hands staring at you, Greg.