LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has emphatically denied reports that the upstart golf league made an $850 million offer to PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of LIV’s event in Adelaide, Australia, Norman dismissed the claims as “typical white noise.” He asserted that LIV never extended an offer to McIlroy and had no need to address the matter.
“Look, I’ll make the comment if you look back over that time period of that dialogue that was going, there wasn’t one comment about LIV. LIV never put an offer to him,” Norman said, as per Sky Sports.
McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, had previously denounced the report as “fake news.” McIlroy himself echoed this sentiment, reiterating that he had never received an offer from LIV and had no intention of joining the league.
“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Todd Lewis of the Golf Channel/NBC last week. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.”
Despite denying an offer to McIlroy, Norman revealed that he had held discussions with an unnamed “top PGA Tour player.” While that player declined to join LIV, Norman said he was impressed by the league’s proposal.
“It’s understanding the facts about what LIV represents and what LIV can deliver on a global basis. It’s up to you to determine it,” Norman said. “I’ve sat down with one top, top PGA Tour player in his house with another member of my team, walking through the whole process, and he was so impressed.”
Ultimately, the player decided to remain on the PGA Tour, informing Norman of his decision two days later. Norman expressed understanding and stated that LIV’s door remains open for future conversations.
