{"id":35600,"date":"2023-12-15T02:29:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T02:29:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/norman-says-more-apples-will-fall-after-rahm-move-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-12-15T02:29:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T02:29:06","slug":"norman-says-more-apples-will-fall-after-rahm-move-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/norman-says-more-apples-will-fall-after-rahm-move-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Norman says ‘more apples will fall’ after Rahm move | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nLONDON:
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LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman says that Jon Rahm’s<\/a> move to the Saudi-backed circuit will “create a domino effect” of more high-profile players making the lucrative jump.<\/p>\n

Reigning Masters champion Rahm last week joined LIV in a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars in a huge coup for the upstart tour.<\/p>\n

LIV had already recruited major winners Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, but Rahm was arguably the biggest name yet to leave the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n

Speaking from Saudi Arabia to the BBC’s World Business Report, the Australian Norman — the public face of LIV — said there would be “more apples falling from the tree”.<\/p>\n

“To have Jon on board is critically important to our next steps into the future and what we want to do,” Norman<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

He added: “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree, there’s no question about it because LIV continues to grow and develop.”<\/p>\n

Spain’s Rahm had previously ruled out going to LIV, which held its inaugural season in 2022 and triggered a civil war in golf.<\/p>\n

He is reportedly set to earn between $300 million and $600 million.<\/p>\n

“Since Jon signed, less than a week ago now, I know my phone is blowing up,” Norman added.<\/p>\n

“I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board.”<\/p>\n

Saudi Arabia’s foray into sport has triggered accusations that it is “sportswashing” its human rights record.<\/p>\n

Norman, a two-time major winner, said that Saudi Arabia “really cares” about golf.<\/p>\n

“If you see the way they’re embracing the game of golf, they’re investing in the game of golf in their country for their people into the future,” he said.<\/p>\n

Rahm’s move came as the PGA Tour and the Saudi backers of LIV attempt to finalise the details of their bombshell merger announced in June.<\/p>\n

A deadline of December 31 has been set to agree a framework for the new PGA-LIV joint venture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n