NAPLES, Florida — Billions of dollars in startup money. $20 million purses. $4 million winners’ checks.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund showed it would spare nothing to make sure its controversial LIV Golf Series got a foothold.
Now the focus shifts to a possible women’s LIV Golf series and if a country that continues to discriminate against women will save some of that life-changing money for them.
CEO Greg Norman was asked by the Palm Beach Post in July if LIV Golf would venture into the women’s side.
“One hundred percent. Drop the mic on that,” he said. “We have discussed it internally, the opportunity is there.”
That comment got the attention of LPGA golfers. Some are sending out warning signals to the LPGA.
“I think a lot of women would go because it’s a big difference,” Spaniard Carlota Ciganda said this week from the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club. “If they are asking you to go to Saudi and they are going to pay you $5 million, what would you do? Would you stay here? Would you go and take the money?
“I understand both points. I don’t think it’s right or wrong. You have some political ideas but at the same time this is our job and if you have an opportunity somewhere else why not take advantage and go.”
Madelene Sagstrom, a six-year LPGA veteran from Sweden, has noted the rivalry LIV created with PGA Tour and the friction between those who defected from the tour and those who have remained loyal.
Sagstrom is…
