Greg Norman’s LIV league signs surprise deal with Golf Australia

Greg Norman’s rebel LIV circuit has made a surprise offering to the peak body for golf in Australia, promising a financial commitment to a development program.

After years of turmoil in the men’s professional game, Golf Australia has struck a deal with LIV Golf, which has spent billions of dollars in sign-on fees and prize money to launch a league with some of the world’s best players.

While Norman has previously taken aim at Australian authorities for not entertaining discussions with LIV, there has been a development in South Australia.

According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss it publicly, LIV and Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC franchise will make a financial commitment to My Golf, Australia’s official junior program designed to introduce children to golf.

An official announcement is expected within days.

About 80,000 fans will watch LIV’s second Australian tournament, which started on Friday, and Golf Australia has also established an area to promote the game to kids while the likes of Smith, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka battle for the largest purse ever offered on local shores.

Cameron Smith plays on the opening day of the LIV Golf Adelaide event.Credit: Getty

The move is a step in helping the sport flourish in Australia and healing the divide in the professional game since LIV launched in 2022.

The PGA of Australia’s two main events - the Australian PGA and Australian Open - are both co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour, with local officials having remained committed to the traditional circuits.

But with participation levels continuing to soar, Golf Australia, which is separate from the PGA of Australia and oversees grassroots development, will take the opportunity to promote its sport to the masses who have flocked to Adelaide for LIV.

“We are grateful to work with LIV Golf, and especially support Ripper GC, to help inspire our young Australians to engage with this fantastic game,” said Golf Australia’s general manager of participation David Gallichio.

“We know the benefits of playing golf go far beyond the sport, helping people stay active, make friends, and build skills such as trust, resilience and teamwork to take them through life.”

Earlier this week, Norman ruled out Australia hosting a second LIV event each year despite the popularity of its Adelaide tournament, which was named the world’s best golf event for 2023. But it doesn’t mean LIV will stifle its investment in Australia.

“Our work in Australia will bring the game that we love to more young people and enhance the great work already being done across the country,” said LIV Golf senior vice president of impact and sustainability Jake Jones.

The news emerged on the same day unheralded Japanese player Jinichiro Kozuma stole the show on the opening day at The Grange Golf Club.

LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman.Credit: Getty

Kozuma, who only won a spot on LIV’s roster in their inaugural promotions event last year, shot a nine-under 63 to lead by one from Carlos Ortiz and Danny Lee.

Smith’s all-Australian team made a solid start with Matt Jones (-6) the best of the quartet, almost landing a crowd-pleasing hole-in-one on the 14th hole when his shot cannoned into the flag stick and nestled centimetres from the cup.

Marc Leishman (-5) and Smith (-4) also put themselves in contention with solid starts, but Jon Rahm, who switched to LIV Golf for a reported $900 million, produced a birdie-birdie finish to lurk ominously as he chases his first individual win in the league.

“We wanted to play well last year and didn’t, but this year we came in a little more relaxed,” Jones said.

“From what we saw and where the ball finished [on the 14th hole], I would say yes, I was robbed. But when we see it, I’ll have a good understanding.”

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (+1) came closest to igniting the crowd on the stadium-like watering hole, almost draining his shot like Chase Koepka did last year.

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