Ever since its announcement last year, LIV Golf has been making headlines for diverse reasons. On one hand, the Saudi Arabia-backed league is busy making attempts to rope in the biggest names in golf. On the other hand, its CEO, former golfer, Greg Norman, is busy making some major announcements.
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Quoting the words of Norman, the announcements being made by him are a step to evolve and grow the game. These announcements might have successfully managed to make a mark on a handful of golf fans. However, it clearly has failed to convince the majority of the golfing world, who supposedly are opposing LIV Golf.
Walking on the same path, Greg Norman, representing LIV Golf, recently announced another major change for players at LIV Golf. However, it was the raging backlash by the golfing world that took the spotlight to overshadow the announcement.
LIV Golf receives massive backlash from the golfing world
As mentioned earlier, LIV Golf has been a massively controversial tour ever since its announcement. However, despite immense opposition from the golfing world, the Saudi Arabia-backed league continues to be on its pre-determined track. Early this morning, the league took to its social media handle, to make the announcement of allowing players to wear shorts during games. The announcement marks a historic decision in a sport that always has had strict guidelines concerning the attire of players.
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SHORTS OFFICIALLY ALLOWED 😎#LIVGolf @SharkGregNorman pic.twitter.com/NMHv62lJFd
— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) September 2, 2022
With the league being the talk to the town, the announcement took no time to spread around the golfing world. Similar to other decisions, the announcement received support from a handful of fans. However, it also opened the doors for a major backlash from most of the golfing world.
Taking to the comments section of the post, a fan termed the announcement as ‘disgusting’.
Disgusting
— Not Kevin Warren (@NotKevinWarren) September 2, 2022
While the above fan opted to keep it subtle, that clearly wasn’t the case with other fans. Showing their disapproval of the announcement, numerous other fans also took to the comment section, slamming the league for its decision. Some of these fans wrote:
Stop innovating Greg, you’re making the others look old!
— Luke Elvy (@Luke_Elvy) September 2, 2022
This isn’t encouraging me to watch. Hats backwards next? Shirts untucked?
— thomas doherty (@tuckahoetommy) September 2, 2022
So you guys just change things up mid tournament uh? Laughable.
— Sean (@s_c_0317) September 3, 2022
Clown league!
— Tony Mazzoni 🇮🇹 🇺🇸 (@jmazz25) September 3, 2022
Now 54 holes, music, giggles and shorts.
— Charles Adams (@charles90266) September 3, 2022
Gimmick after Gimmick ! Soon cutoff shirt sleeves and beer bongs on every Tee Box . What ever Anti 9/11 , over the hill golfer Norman thinks is cool
— JP Finn (@johnfin66137878) September 3, 2022
Wow, one more reason not to watch. Thank you for ruining golf. You’ve made my life better because I’ll never watch again. Thank you
— Captain Stardust (@CaptainStardus2) September 3, 2022
Have you asked your puppet masters if that’s ok? Woman too?
— Peter Smith (@CapeGypsy_pete) September 3, 2022
Maybe you should change the rules of your tournament so your players can eventually qualify for world golf rankings instead of worrying about shorts.
— Martin (@mhodg89) September 3, 2022
The LPGA tour is a tour that allows shorts, so liv is hardly the first.
But I suppose the saudis wouldn't recognize a female sports league anyway, so whatever
— Gregory Garthbrook (@GarthbrookABR) September 3, 2022
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As per Norman, the decision is set to be implemented with immediate effect. That means the ongoing event in Boston can have players in shorts on its last day i.e. 4th September. Following Boston, the LIV Golf further has four events coming up before calling it a season.
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With its money minting contracts, the league has successfully roped in some of the biggest names in the sport. However, despite giving their all, the Saudi Arabia-backed league is yet to encompass a fan following similar to that of the PGA Tour. Considering the backlash, it is needless to say that the league clearly has a long way to go.
What are your thoughts on LIV Golf’s latest announcement? Let us know in the comments below.