Jim Nugent, founder and publisher of Global Golf Post reports that the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, with Greg Norman at the helm, seems to be in full retreat. Norman’s claims that top name players would jump at the chance to join a rival tour offering guaranteed money, plus fewer tournaments in which to compete, has not enticed any of the top players to jump from the PGA Tour, or DP World Tour. In fact, every attempt to recruit a big name has been thwarted. When it appeared Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau were ready to sign on with the LIV Golf Invitational Series, they instead decided to stay home and pledged their loyalty to the PGA Tour. Norman has been left with older players, who’s time at the top is well past. It has also been reported that the LIV Investment Series is offering top amateur collegiate players Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) guarantees to fill spots in tournaments. Nugent surmises that Augusta National Golf Club may have been a catalyst to influence players to shun the new league. The Masters is an invitational tournament. Augusta National officials have always invited past major champions to compete, but that is a tradition, not an official policy. Former past champions, like Dustin Johnson, may not be welcome at future Masters Tournaments, if they jumped to the rival league. “Norman tried to schedule a meeting with Augusta National Chairman, Fred Ridley, but was rebuffed until he made it good with the other institutions, meaning the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.” The absence of two-time Masters Champion, Phil Mickelson from the 2022 event, whether of his own accord, or at the behest of Augusta National, strongly confirms the fact that future appearances at The Masters are not guaranteed. This final fact seems to have put an end to the rebel uprising.
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