First, for not having a cut at the tournaments, and then for the shotgun start, LIV Golf faced numerous challenges when it was first launched in 2022. Meanwhile, the PGA Tour was receiving all the praise. However, the situation for LIV Golf seems to be shifting. Why? Well, because significant changes have occurred in the Saudi-backed league since, and now Greg Norman’s circuit is drawing considerable attention. But how?

Around a month ago, Norman discussed plans for growing the league and the business, sharing his idea of applying techniques from other sports organizations to develop players’ skills. Factors like these and more are earning praise for LIV Golf from professionals such as Charl Schwartzel and others will definitely be helping LIV Golf move forward.

What does Charl Schwartzel have to say about developing LIV Golf?

It’s been more than a year since the talks about the merger started. However, since then, there have been nothing but delays. When the merger announcement first hit the market, it was said that it would mark the end of LIV Golf. But did it? No! Norman made it pretty clear that LIV Golf is here to stay. While the delay continues, the White Shark hasn’t stopped working to make LIV Golf better.

Witnessing this, the former Masters champion shared his thoughts at LIV Golf UK. After becoming the first-ever LIV Golf Champion in 2022, Schwartzel has witnessed the circuit’s growth and continues to do so. While talking about this with the Mirror, he gave a six-word reality check for the PGA Tour saying, “LIV is getting better and stronger.”

He then continued, and said, “It is amazing being able to play around the world in front of so many fans, and that is what LIV is. A global tour.” Speaking of “getting better” it’s Norman who continues to brainstorm to make the Saudi-backed league better. His latest idea was to implement ideas from other sports organizations like Manchester United, the NFL, and the IPL and have home bases for all the teams. These home bases will be for the teams to practice, which will help the pros grow their skills.

Norman said, “Think about LIV. Owning all their own golf courses. Having each, each team. Having a home venue and they host. And now you can build out around that.” In addition to focusing on professional golfers, LIV Golf also aims to enhance the fan experience with features like the Flight Deck, and Majesticks Arms. 

Meanwhile, the ongoing delay is causing problems for Jay Monahan and his team, as sponsors have begun questioning the Tour. Around a month ago the sponsor of RBC Heritage, the Royal Bank of Canada’s chief marketing officer, Mary DePaoli, voiced the bank’s frustration with the lack of clarity saying “We are all watching the PGA Tour right now. try to sort through a business model that has been under some significant strain and has still not fully resolved itself. And that’s still TBD. So, it’s requiring a lot of patience.” 

Additionally, the PGA Tour is experiencing a decline in viewership as well. It happened during the time of RBC Heritage and the Wells Fargo Championship, where the Tour witnessed an overall 20% viewership decline as compared to last year. One might wonder if Charl Schwartzel is the only one appreciating LIV Golf, but interestingly, he is not.

Is LIV Golf helping golfers become better?

Coming to the year 2024, LIV Golf now holds four major championships so far. After Bryson DeChambeau claimed the title of the US Open, the hype was already high. However, not long after, Richard Bland emerged as the victor of the U.S. Senior Open Championship, becoming the back-to-back senior major winner. After claiming the title, Bland talked about how LIV Golf helped him and said, “Yeah, I’m a way better golfer than I was back then, but I think that’s the caliber of players that I’m playing against on LIV.”

Interestingly, he also appreciated some LIV golfers like Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and more, saying, “They’re the best players in the world. I don’t care what the world ranking says.” Another pro, John Catlin, who played at some LIV Golf events as a replacement for Charles Howell III, who was out with a tibia injury in his left leg, also talked about making LIV Golf his priority after getting the taste of some LIV Golf events.

What do you think about LIV Golf’s development so far? Do you think it will be able to overtake the PGA Tour in the future?