Asia a sleeping giant for LIV Golf, says Greg Norman

LIV Golf’s chief executive and commissioner Greg Norman has underlined the LIV Golf League’s commitment to Asia, describing the region as an “area of growth for generations to come’’.

Discussing LIV Golf’s strategic approach to the Asian market and its investment into the Asian Tour’s International Series, a schedule of marquee events which showcase the strength of the game in different markets around the world, Nor- man was in typically bullish mood.

He said: “It was recognised very early on that the Asian market is a sleeping giant. We originally invested $US300 million into the Asian Tour for a specific reason. We know this is where the growth is going in the game of golf for generations to come.

“Our data point on that is the fact that 65 percent of all golf courses built in the world today are from the GCC (Cooper- ation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf) to the Asia-Pacific rim. It is a huge basin, and a huge opportunity going forward.

“This is just the start. I’ve been involved with golf here and I understand and follow this very, very closely because of my golf course design business. I recognise it.”

Norman, a two-time major championship winner and former world number one, added: “I have had a close affinity with Asia for a long, long period of time, both on and off the golf course and through my golf diplomacy, so I’m going to stay supremely focused on that region.

“Looking into the future and building into the future, Asia is going to be a dynamic place to be able to grow the game.”

Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour chief executive and commissioner, said: “The International Series is an important milestone in the development of golf in the region, one which allows us to showcase the talent of the players and also underscore the incredible facilities and infrastructure in our key markets.

“The future for golf in Asia is bright and with the International Series now reaching different venues in new and established golfing markets, including the Middle East and Europe, golf enthusiasts around the world can now witness the increasing strength of our tour and the ascendency of the game here in Asia.”

Asia also took centre stage last month with the staging of the LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.

Thousands of golf fans from Singapore and the wider region flocked to the Sentosa Golf Club for LIV Golf Singapore, the fifth event of the inaugural 14-date season which also includes stops in Mexico, Australia, Spain, England, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

On the Serapong Course, Talor Gooch held off Sergio Garcia for a thrilling play-off victory, emerging triumphant from a field which included 13 major winners to secure his second individual title in two weeks and also claim a first ever team victory for the RangeGoats GC.

As well as showcasing the depth of talent around the globe and shining the spotlight on world class venues and championship-level courses in diverse markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Egypt, Morocco, Qatar and Oman in the Middle East, LIV Golf has offered a gateway to the big stage for players on the Asian Tour.