Ryder Cup stalwart Sam Torrance believes LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman is 'out to get' his big rival the PGA Tour. Since its inception in June, LIV has been in a fierce battle with the PGA Tour at the top of professional golf.
The Saudi-backed series has looked to lure in some of the game's biggest names thanks to mega-money signing-on fees and lucrative prize pots being on offer. Whilst LIV's supposed aim is to 'grow the game' many within the sport have been less than convinced.
One key criticism of the Saudi-backed series has been the volatility of boss Greg Norman, with a number of big names - including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy - calling on the Australian to step down to allow the breakaway circuit and PGA Tour peacefully coexist.
As a result, Torrance has put the split in the sport caused by these two newfound rivals down to Norman's long-time disgruntlement to the PGA Tour. Speaking to The Scotsman , he said: "We all love golf and we hate to see it in turmoil.
"He [Norman] has had a bone to pick with the PGA Tour. The Saudis can’t complain with what he’s achieved and who am I to say someone else should be leading LIV. But we need to find a way. If I knew how to sort it, you would’ve heard from me before...
"I don’t see it [LIV] succeeding the way it’s going. It’s only getting worse. Greg has been out to get the tour for a long time."
With the two tours not looking to find a solution anytime soon, the 2002 winning Ryder Cup captain believes LIV opting for a different leader in the beginning would have made the problems much more solvable.
Referring to Ernie Els and Fred Couples as maybe more suited leaders instead of Norman, Torrance went on: "If you put, say Fred Couples or Ernie Els, in his position, they may have said to the tours, ‘look I have all this money here, lets sort this out’. It’s hard to find a place for LIV. The US Tour is not going to let it go, that won’t get fixed.”
Do you think Greg Norman should step down? Let us know in the comments sectio n below.
Despite the calls for him to step aside Norman has warned his critics - more specifically Woods and McIlroy that he is not going anywhere any time soon. He told Today's Golfer: "I pay zero attention to McIlroy and Woods, right? They have their agenda for whatever reason.
"They’re saying whatever they want to say. It has no bearing or effect on me. I’m going to be with LIV for a long, long period of time.
"I am not going anywhere. I don’t care what anybody says. I’m not going anywhere. I am so proud of the position I am in and maybe, maybe, it’s my leadership that has them scared. Maybe…”
