Golf legend Greg Norman, who's currently the CEO of the LIV Golf League, was in New Orleans Monday surveying sites for a possible LIV event in the Crescent City in 2025 or 2026. Multiple sources confirm to WDSU that Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was with Norman on his tour, something the Lt. Governor's office would neither confirm or deny.The courses toured include Bayou Oaks at City Park and Lakewood Golf Club in Algiers. Sources also tell WDSU representatives from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's office will be in Nashville for the LIV event this week to survey the operation. In April, WDSU was the first to report the LIV golf league was exploring a tournament in New Orleans the same week the NFL hosts Super Bowl LIX in the city.In February, LIV golf hosted its first ever event in Las Vegas to coincide with Super Bowl LVIII, which was being played in Sin City. Las Vegas Country Club, which held the PGA Tour event from its inception in 1983 until 1991, welcomed the LIV tournament. It most recently hosted an LPGA event from 2003 to 2006.Current and former NFL players and various celebrities played in the LIV pro-am (professional, amateur event prior to the tournament) including New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who makes his offseason home in Las Vegas.LIV Golf is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. Some journalists and commentators have said the tour is part of efforts by the Saudi monarchy, which has been criticized for its corruption and human rights abuses, to improve its public image through sports. Norman routinely played in New Orleans during his career on the PGA Tour, including a 2nd place finish to David Frost in 1990.Hotel rooms in the metro area for a second major sports event could be an issue, as the NFL traditionally blocks off 90% of all hotel rooms in the city for team owners, corporate executives, sponsors, and major advertisers.Prior to the event in Las Vegas, LIV released statements from players via its website about the excitement of sharing the spotlight with the NFL’s biggest event.“It’s going to be a special event,” said Bryson DeChambeau. “I think it’s going to be fantastic,” added Dustin Johnson.“It’s the week of the Super Bowl. Vegas is going to be buzzing.” Said Phil Mickelson: “LIV Golf Las Vegas is an opportunity to showcase what LIV Golf can bring to the U.S. … In the U.S., our demographic is much younger than the traditional golf fan. To be in Las Vegas the week of the Super Bowl, that’s the demographic we’re trying to hit.”Last summer the PGA Tour dropped its fight with LIV Golf and instead announced a merger aimed to create a global operation featuring the world’s top players backed by the Saudis’ massive wealth.As part of the deal merging the PGA Tour and European tour with Saudi Arabia’s golf interests, the sides immediately are dropping all lawsuits involving LIV Golf.But, amid government inquiries, and interest from private equity groups, the deal wasn’t done, reports the Associated Press.So, the PGA Tour selected SSG, a consortium of U.S. sports owners, to partner with. A month later, SSG pledged an initial $1.5 billion investment, which could increase to $3 billion. The next step is getting PIF as a minority investor or risk more players defecting to LIV Golf. LIV announced its 2024 schedule in November 2023, so any official decision on an event in New Orleans may not be known until the fall.The PGA Tour hosts the Zurich Classic of New Orleans every year at TPC Louisiana.New Orleans has hosted the PGA Tour annually since 1938.The 2024 Zurich Classic was the most successful ever drawing record crowds to see champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
NEW ORLEANS —
Golf legend Greg Norman, who's currently the CEO of the LIV Golf League, was in New Orleans Monday surveying sites for a possible LIV event in the Crescent City in 2025 or 2026.
Multiple sources confirm to WDSU that Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was with Norman on his tour, something the Lt. Governor's office would neither confirm or deny.
The courses toured include Bayou Oaks at City Park and Lakewood Golf Club in Algiers.
Sources also tell WDSU representatives from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's office will be in Nashville for the LIV event this week to survey the operation.
In April, WDSU was the first to report the LIV golf league was exploring a tournament in New Orleans the same week the NFL hosts Super Bowl LIX in the city.
In February, LIV golf hosted its first ever event in Las Vegas to coincide with Super Bowl LVIII, which was being played in Sin City.
Las Vegas Country Club, which held the PGA Tour event from its inception in 1983 until 1991, welcomed the LIV tournament. It most recently hosted an LPGA event from 2003 to 2006.
Current and former NFL players and various celebrities played in the LIV pro-am (professional, amateur event prior to the tournament) including New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who makes his offseason home in Las Vegas.
LIV Golf is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. Some journalists and commentators have said the tour is part of efforts by the Saudi monarchy, which has been criticized for its corruption and human rights abuses, to improve its public image through sports.
Norman routinely played in New Orleans during his career on the PGA Tour, including a 2nd place finish to David Frost in 1990.
Hotel rooms in the metro area for a second major sports event could be an issue, as the NFL traditionally blocks off 90% of all hotel rooms in the city for team owners, corporate executives, sponsors, and major advertisers.
Prior to the event in Las Vegas, LIV released statements from players via its website about the excitement of sharing the spotlight with the NFL’s biggest event.
“It’s going to be a special event,” said Bryson DeChambeau.
“I think it’s going to be fantastic,” added Dustin Johnson.
“It’s the week of the Super Bowl. Vegas is going to be buzzing.” Said Phil Mickelson: “LIV Golf Las Vegas is an opportunity to showcase what LIV Golf can bring to the U.S. … In the U.S., our demographic is much younger than the traditional golf fan. To be in Las Vegas the week of the Super Bowl, that’s the demographic we’re trying to hit.”
Last summer the PGA Tour dropped its fight with LIV Golf and instead announced a merger aimed to create a global operation featuring the world’s top players backed by the Saudis’ massive wealth.
As part of the deal merging the PGA Tour and European tour with Saudi Arabia’s golf interests, the sides immediately are dropping all lawsuits involving LIV Golf.
But, amid government inquiries, and interest from private equity groups, the deal wasn’t done, reports the Associated Press.
So, the PGA Tour selected SSG, a consortium of U.S. sports owners, to partner with. A month later, SSG pledged an initial $1.5 billion investment, which could increase to $3 billion. The next step is getting PIF as a minority investor or risk more players defecting to LIV Golf.
LIV announced its 2024 schedule in November 2023, so any official decision on an event in New Orleans may not be known until the fall.
The PGA Tour hosts the Zurich Classic of New Orleans every year at TPC Louisiana.
New Orleans has hosted the PGA Tour annually since 1938.
The 2024 Zurich Classic was the most successful ever drawing record crowds to see champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
