SHARK BOMBS OUT AS SCOTT JOINS TGL
GREG Norman’s hopes of luring Adam Scott to his LIV golf league have taken what looms as a fatal hit, with the Aussie star joining a new venture backed and headlined by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Scott is officially set to join TGL, the hi-tech team-format series that is scheduled to begin in 2024. The competition will be played on a virtual course in specially designed stadiums.
The new venture already boasts Woods, McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas among the PGA Tour-aligned players set to play in their 15match season, with events to be held on Monday nights.
World No.8 Colin Morikawa has also joined TGL, having been linked to a LIV move he denied was ever going to happen.
Scott, 42, said he saw the new venture as the future of golf, which puts him at odds with Norman’s vision for LIV.
“As professional golf continues to evolve, I am excited to play a part in its future for golfers and fans alike,” Scott said in a statement.
“Therefore, I am excited to compete within TGL and look forward to sharing the stage in the new Palm Beach venue with my fellow teammates and competitors.”
Confirmation of Scott joining TGL came as Norman and LIV confirmed their 14event season, which will include a tournament in Adelaide in April, with more than $570m in prize money up for grabs.
Norman, who will take on an increased role with LIV despite calls from both Woods and McIlroy for him to step aside so the warring tours can come together, had hoped to get Scott to join an All-Australia team in his breakaway league.
That now seems an unlikely prospect, given Scott’s latest move.
Australian star Cameron Smith remains one of LIV’s headline acts and, having only slipped one place in the world rankings to number four since his move to LIV, will open his 2023 campaign at the first event in Mexico in February.