Weeks After Greg Norman’s ‘LIV Ladies Series’ Comment, LPGA Commissioner Clears the Air on Rumors: ‘We’re Really Bullish’

The Cognizant Founders Cup is set to begin today with some of the best female golfers in the world. While the action on the LPGA Tour is what incites some of the fans, the question revolving around Saudi-funded LIV Golf has also hijacked Ladies’ Professional Golf. But recently, ahead of the event, the LPGA Commissioner disclosed to the golf world where it stands when it comes to starting a ladies’ version of LIV Golf.

While the lucrative Tour has been a long-time nemesis of the PGA Tour, it has set its sights on entering Women’s professional golf. Last month, LIV CEO Greg Norman disclosed that he would “love to see a LIV ladies series”. He also revealed that he had had conversations with LPGA golfers internally.

Nonetheless, the LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who previously claimed to be open for a ‘conversation’ with Norman, has a new statement regarding the ladies’ LIV series. Let’s take a look at what she had to say.

Is the LPGA Commissioner ready to join hands with LIV Golf?

Ahead of the Cognizant Founders Cup, Marcoux answered the media in the press conference. Despite it being an LPGA event, most of the questions revolved around LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. Nonetheless, one reporter asked for Mollie’s opinion on Greg Norman’s comments about being interested in women’s golf.

“Yeah, I’m not positive of what he was referring to”, said the Commissioner. Nonetheless she then reiterated her words from last year and claimed that it’s her ‘responsibility to listen and learn’, indicating an open door for a conversation. But she added that her focus right now was the LPGA’s current scenario.

Read More: 2023 Cognizant Founders Cup: Power Rankings, Prize Money, Defending Champion, and Other Details

She said, “Right now we’re focused on what we’re doing… we’re really bullish about where we’re going, so that’s kind of where we are right now.” While LIV Golf has affected the PGA Tour drastically in nearly a year, it can also draw massive attention to the Ladies’ Professional circuit. But with tensions running high in the battle of Tours, how’s the relationship between the PGA Tour and LPGA?

Is the LPGA happy with the PGA Tour?

Though the men’s tour has undergone massive changes following the inception of LIV Golf, there have been very few modifications to the LPGA Tour. The prize money has taken a hike, but compared to the PGA Tour, it’s merely a flattering change.

Many female golfers, such as Michelle Wie West, have shed light on the hardships of poor prize money in women’s golf. Despite all that, the professional relationship between the PGA Tour and LPGA has remained intact. In fact, ahead of the first major of women’s golf this season at the Chevron Championship last month, Mollie Marcoux was paired with World no. 1, Nelly Korda and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

While the two may have only joined forces for a fun-filled 18 holes of golf, it could also be considered a message to the golf world about the strong bond the Tours share. Regardless, with a promising future for ladies’ golf, Greg Norman also has a desirable plan for the LPGA. As the clock is ticking, the ball is, of course, in Marcoux’s court to make a decision that’s best for women’s golf.

Who do you think the LPGA should work with, the PGA Tour or LIV Golf? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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