<\/p>\n
The \u2018Great White Shark\u2019 spoke of his history supporting golf in Australia and legacy throughout a lengthy press conference that got momentarily heated when he was questioned as to if he had ever discussed human rights with Mohammed bin Salman the senior leadership of the Public Investment Fund.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I have not,\u201d was the quick reply from the otherwise vociferous Norman.<\/p>\n
Adding when pushed as to why: \u201cBecause I’m the chairman and CEO of LIV Golf Investments, and that’s where I focus. I focus on golf. I stay focused on golf. My job is to build out LIV and the product we have on a global front.<\/p>\n
\u201cGolf is a force for good. I’ve been involved with golf, like I said, as a player, as well as golf course design. I’ve built some golf courses in third-world countries. I’ve built golf courses in Communist countries. Golf is a force for good. It goes everywhere with the right platform because it delivers the right message, from education to hospitality to employment to tourism. Everywhere you go, golf is a force for good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking on the expansion of LIV Golf around Australia, a topic that has been regularly rumoured throughout the lead up to the new circuit\u2019s debut in this country, Norman was keen instead to focus on the \u201cnext 72 hours\u201d in Adelaide.<\/p>\n
RIGHT:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Karrie Webb has strong opinions on LIV Golf that suggest the support for a women’s version might not be as strong as Norman suggests. PHOTO:\u00a0Aaron Gilbert\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the former World No.1 was in a more talkative mood on the topic of a LIV Golf women\u2019s league as a future prospect.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is a discussion we have internally on a regular basis. I have personally had discussions with individual LPGA Tour players, LET Tour players. They love what our product is showcasing. They ask all the time, how can we get involved, we’d love to see a LIV ladies series,\u201d Norman said.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom our perspective \u2013 last year was a beta season. We had eight events. This year was our first season where we’re kicking off. We can only drink out of a fire hydrant so much, so we have a lot of opportunities and initiatives coming across our plate. Our focus is to make sure this year we produce what we’re producing here from day one, 2023, and then going forward we’re looking what are the best opportunities to build on to what we have today.<\/p>\n \u201cThe answer to the question is yes, we talk about it internally, and I have had discussions with individual lady players, professional players.\u201d<\/p>\n The positive reception to such a concept is in stark contrast to that of Australia\u2019s greatest ever female player Karrie Webb.<\/p>\n