Greg Norman made a surprising admission about LIV golf
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LIV Golf has a little something by the number 54.
The name LIV, you may recall, is derived from the Roman numeral 54, which is also the number of holes played by the Saudi-backed tour in its tournaments. This was a central part of LIV's “flexible” identity from the beginning – the idea that tournaments were too long and stars were often removed from that arena by the cut line. So, the league's theory went, by removing the cutoff line and cutting tournaments to 54 holes with a shotgun start, we could eliminate all the worst parts of golf tournaments and keep all the best.
Now, it seems that that love has grown a bit. As the league contemplates a future that could include a deal or reunification with the PGA Tour, LIV executives also agree to the suggestion that some of the league's founding principles could be changed as part of that reunification. One of the biggest proposed changes has been expanding league tournaments to 72 holes, which some players have advocated as a way to help LIV achieve OWGR status or, more broadly, to keep the tour in line with the rest of golf's major leagues. events, also contested over 72 holes.
On Wednesday at the latest LIV event in Adelaide, commissioner Greg Norman was asked directly about the changes – and gave a surprising answer.
“I think from LIV's point of view, we are very open minded [moving to 72 holes],” he said. “But you have to understand that there is an economic impact by opening television with 72 channels.”
Open minded! Sure, it's not “enthusiasm about” or “switching to” — but Norman's comments nonetheless mark a significant shift in the league's position on its public-facing comments. Even if the switch to 72 holes will result in a solution that is favorable to all concerned, Norman and co. they have not commented publicly on changes that could bring the league in line with its PGA Tour counterparts. Norman's decision to comment publicly on Wednesday — at the same LIV company that rival Jon Rahm named PGA Tour events he would enjoy competing in — shows that the league is thinking more about a future that looks different than the present.
“It's a great conversation to have. We will continue to have that conversation going forward,” said Norman. “But we always say, what's the use of putting it on television on Thursday? Now, how will we build in the future? How do we get more people to the golf course? Maybe it's Thursday and you let another 30,000 people in on Thursday. “
It's hard to know exactly what the commissioner means by the “economic impact” of expanding to 72 holes. On the other hand, it would be more expensive to pay the league's television crew and production costs for an extra day of tournament play. But the value of putting an event on television is often much higher than the cost of putting it on TV, and the same can be said about the cost of an extra day of tournament staff compared to the cost of tickets. (Sure, LIV has had its problems finding pay TV partners over the years, but sure others A store can sell enough advertising to justify paying enough LIV to cover production costs.)
But economic concerns are only one part of the puzzle, Norman said. They chose 54 holes because they like the speed and urgency that comes with the competition.
“Sometimes you can have an average first round and come back and shoot 64 and get yourself back into it, now you're into the weekend,” Norman said. “If you really don't play well on Friday here, you struggle because the level of play here is very high. It's a question you have to ask [the players]. It's a lot of pressure on him right away because you have to play quickly right off the bat.”
Indeed, that's an interesting point – and one that seems to underline the challenge facing LIV players in the transition from casual tournament play to major tournaments. But it speaks to the fact that LIV is having these conversations in the first place. And given the drawn-out nature of negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF, it may also be a sign that those negotiations are ongoing.
“There are things we always look at, what is the best solution to make this a better and better and better event?” Norman said. “And 72 holes are discussed.”
As for changing the name to LXXII? Well, we'll leave that to the person in charge.
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