Southern Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas has seemingly opened the door to the controversial LIV Golf Series taking place down under. LIV has sent shockwaves around the world of golf over the past year, after locking horns with the sport's flagship circuit the PGA Tour.
The Saudi-funded series has hosted events both in the UK and the United States so far, and will head to both Thailand and Saudi Arabia before their inaugural campaign comes to an end. in 2023 CEO Greg Norman is looking to expand the series further afield, and his home country Australia looks to be top of the list.
Initially, LIV were dealt a huge blow in their attempts to compete down under after one of the country's most prestigious courses - Royal Sydney Golf Club - reportedly turned down an opportunity to host an event.
One month on though it seems Norman's hopes of competing back home are still well and truly alive, after Southern Australian Premier Malinauskas seemed to welcomed the idea, whilst also hitting out at the PGA Tour's lack of involvement with Australian golf.
Speaking on 7 News, the politician said: "I haven't seen much evidence of the US PGA doing Australian golfing supporters any favours recently. I think it is about time golf had a bit of a shake up, so to that end I wish LIV Golf all the very best."
Malinauskas words will no doubt be music to Norman's ears, amid his ongoing battle to announce LIV as the sport's leading circuit. On Monday, the former world No. 1 appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored to discuss the recent movement of the Saudi-funded series.
The breakaway circuit has undoubtedly split opinion across the world of golf and, speaking to Morgan, Norman revealed he has friendships that have ended over his affiliation with LIV. When asked if he had lost friends over the LIV saga, he said: "100 per cent I have.
"But if they want to judge me on lack of information, they're the ones with the small mind. My moral line is I believe in the product. My moral line is I've been a staunch promoter of growing the game of golf on a global basis. My moral line is golf is the force for good.
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"It is so powerful to see the strength of what the game of golf can do in different countries around the world, to change the economy of things, to change the hospitality, to change tourism... all these little ingredients that golf is the initial reason why you could change these.
"I am so proud to be in this role... Maybe my legacy on the golf course is not my legacy, maybe my legacy is what we're doing with LIV for the game of golf and giving this opportunity to collegiate players, eventually to women and to the guys we have today and our product is speaking for itself."
