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THE WOODLANDS, Texas – LIV Golf has been a devastating force in men’s golf over the past several years. But will the Saudi-backed tour attempt a similar coup attempt in the women’s game? Rumors have been swirling since last summer, and this week, LIV CEO Greg Norman reaffirmed the idea of expanding LIV’s footprint to feature women in the coming years.
“This is a discussion we have internally on a regular basis,” Norman said at a press conference ahead of the LIV event in Adelaide. “I’ve personally had discussions with individual LPGA Tour players, LET Tour players, and the Women’s European Tour. They love what our product has to offer. They ask all the time, How can we get involved, we’d like to see the LIV Women’s Series.”
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has become a major player in the golf space. Since the first game of Saudi International in 2019, the Public Investment Fund has invested billions in the game, including financing the controversial LIV.
The men’s side of the game attracted the most interest in the Civil War in golf, but there was also an influx of Saudi dollars into women’s golf. Aramco, an oil company majority owned by the Saudi government, has sponsored the Women’s European Tour-sanctioned Aramco Women’s Team Series since 2020, featuring top players such as Nelly Korda, Lexie Thompson and Brooke Henderson. A handful of ladies – including Bronte Law, Carlota Ceganda and Anne Van Damme – are sponsored by Golf Saudi and wear the logo on their clothes.
“We’re talking about [expanding LIV Golf to include ladies] Norman said. “And I’ve had discussions with both individual players and professional players.”
Halfway across the world, those supposed targets put her in the first major LPGA tournament of the season—the Chevron Championship. And while Norman’s comments made their way into the headlines, LIV Golf is far from a consideration in Texas.
“I’m just really focused on doing my best in the LPGA,” said two-time LPGA winner Georgia Hall. “It’s like, the best tour in the world where the best guys compete, and I want to be among them.”
Multiple sources at Carlton Woods tell GOLF.com that LIV representatives have been in contact with some of the players last year. But those talks did not carry over into 2023.
“I haven’t heard there are discussions going on, especially lately,” Hall said. “A little bit last year but not anything recently.”
Lydia Ko said GOLF.com That Thursday was the first time she had heard of any LIV women’s golf tournament. When asked about her thoughts on the potential for such a development, Scientist No. 1 was quick to downplay babbling about assumptions.
“It’s very mysterious,” Ko said. “Talking about anything that doesn’t really exist is pure speculation. So I’m happy to do my own thing now.” While playing in the Aramco Division Series last fall, Korda was similarly reluctant to talk about the speculation. “It’s kind of speculation at the moment,” Korda said. “As a player I really don’t know and this is not in my hands. This is for the flight commissioner.”
LPGA Commissioner Molly Marco Semaan previously stated that she would listen to LIV courses, but only if “it will achieve our goal of promoting women’s golf.”
The huge influx of cash that would come with a Saudi partnership would no doubt bolster the pocket books of the women’s golf elite – but the source of that money is a moot point. With Saudi Arabia’s questionable human rights record, some talents may hesitate to join.
“I have my stuff that drives me morally,” said Ally Ewing, an LPGA veteran. “I should probably say I’m not interested… I’m happy with where I am. This tour is in a great place.”
Norman’s comments about adding women to LIV Golf sure sparked some curiosity among those in the golf world in general, but at the Chevron Championship, the hype just didn’t pan out. For now, the focus remains on sparrows and ghosts.