GURUGRAM, Feb 3: Australian golf icon Greg Norman asserts that India has the potential to emerge as a powerhouse in the sport and emphasizes that increasing competitions within the country is vital for players to reach their fullest potential. He advocates for making the recently held International Series an annual event.
The 69-year-old former world number one, with a remarkable 88 professional titles to his credit, expressed optimism regarding India’s progression in golf.
“One of my initial focal points was to invest in the sleeping giant, which was the Asian tour. India is a sleeping giant concerning golf. Just look at the current developments in India regarding the game; it has only just begun, right?” Norman shared with select media during the Asian Tour event on Sunday.
“For the next 25 years, which is a generation, India stands right in the middle of it,” he added.
Norman previously served as the CEO of LIV, a breakaway golf league established in 2022 and backed by Saudi Arabia.
The LIV league has introduced innovative rules such as three-day 54-hole tournaments, departing from the traditional 72-hole four-day format, and eliminated the weekend cut, allowing all participants to compete in the entire tournament and earn prize money.
The International Series is a collaboration between the Asian Tour and LIV, yet it maintains the conventional 72-hole format with a cut after two rounds to ensure that players receive points under the world golf ranking system, which does not recognize the 54-hole LIV events.
The LIV circuit has encountered significant opposition from established tours like the PGA Tour (USA) and the European Tour, who argue that the creation of a parallel tour disrupts the sport by offering higher prize money and a different set of rules.
Norman believes LIV has a crucial role to play in revitalizing Indian golf, which experienced great success approximately a decade ago with players like Jeev Milkha Singh, Shiv Kapur, SSP Chawrasia, Jyoti Randhawa, and Arjun Atwal regularly achieving victories across all three tours.
However, he noted that momentum has waned over the past five years.
“I would love to see LIV come to India because it holds immense significance. Everything progresses in baby steps. Clearly, establishing an international presence in the league is essential,” he emphasized.
“LIV has created a new dynamic for golf by providing opportunities with a fresh business model. Different formats have emerged, attracting millions of new fans to the sport,” he asserted.
“I genuinely believe LIV will become the global platform for golf, aiming to be present on every continent worldwide. We offer a unique product, an innovative ‘plug and play’ system that hasn’t been seen before, along with franchise models and a focus on engaging the youth,” he explained.
Lahiri has joined LIV alongside other prominent figures such as Bryson DeChambeau, two-time Major champion Dustin Johnson, and former world number one Lee Westwood.
“He’s not only an outstanding golfer but also a wonderful person, an excellent spokesperson, and a commendable representative of your country. All these qualities encouraged me to proceed,” Norman remarked about the Indian golfer, who boasts seven Asian titles and two European titles.
The Australian legend also praised the young rising star from India, 15-year-old Kartik Singh, who successfully made the cut at the International Series.
“He’s made an impression. Making the cut is quite an achievement. I haven’t had the chance to see his swing yet, but I’m eager to witness it,” Norman concluded. (PTI)
