LIV Golf ‘happy to sit down’ with Rory McIlroy on PGA Tour exit, says Greg Norman…despite world No.2 rejecting talk of $850m defection to Saudi breakaway
- Rory McIlroy committed to the PGA Tour for the rest of his career
- But Greg Norman has confirmed that the rebel series will speak to the world number 2
- MORE: Scottie Scheffler’s humble Texas home with wife Meredith –
Greg Norman insists LIV Golf never made an offer to Rory McIlroy but the Saudi-backed breakaway would be happy to “have a conversation” with the world number 2 over his defection from PGA Tour.
McIlroy was recently linked to a sensational $850 million U-turn, with reports claiming he was set to follow Jon Rahm to LIV.
The Northern Irishman, who has been one of the breakaway’s most vocal critics, has denied speculation and confirmed he will play on the PGA Tour for the rest of his career. “My future is here,” he said.
McIlroy is ranked No. 2 in the world, but such is Scottie Scheffler’s dominance over his rivals that American cadet Ted Scott ($1.8 million) is believed to have earned more than McIlroy ($1.7 million) this season.
McIlroy and Norman have traded insults since LIV emerged but the Australian said this week: “If Rory was willing to sit down and have a conversation with us, would we be happy to sit down with him? 100 per cent’
Greg Norman insists LIV Golf never made an offer to world number 2 Rory McIlroy
But the Australian said he would be “happy to sit down with” the Northern Irishman.
Speaking in Adelaide ahead of LIV’s event Down Under, the Australian said: “LIV never made him an offer… we didn’t need to comment on that. He s This is just typical industry white noise.
“If Rory was willing to sit down and have a conversation with us, would we be happy to sit down with him? 100 percent, no different than any other player who would be interested in coming and playing with us.
“It’s about understanding the facts about what LIV stands for and what LIV can deliver on a global scale. It’s up to you to determine that.
“I sat with one of the best players on the PGA TOUR in his house with another member of my team, through the whole process, and he was so impressed.
“He said, ‘Well, that’s not what they tell us in the locker room. It is really impressive”.
McIlroy recently insisted he would play on the PGA Tour for the rest of his career.
“But he made the decision. He told me two days later: “I have decided to stay where I am.”
“I said, ‘Happy days. You made a decision based on facts. If you’re happier here, fine, stay there. The door is always open ; if you want to come back and have a chat with us, happy to do so. that”.’
Negotiations are also underway between the PGA and DP World Tours and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV Golf.
“I’d like to give you some insight, but I don’t have one,” Norman said. “At LIV we are completely separate from this part of the negotiation. At LIV, we are an independent company invested by the same investor interested in golf.
