4 MIKE WHAN

LIV Golf’s Commissioner, a man who has taken a sledgehammer to the game’s current ecosystem.

CEO of the USGA and former Commissioner of the LPGA Tour.

“Mike is a proven, successful and transformative leader, not only in the golf industry but throughout his entire career”. Those were the words of USGA President, Stu Francis, as he confirmed the appointment of Whan as the successor to Mike Davis at the helm of arguably the most powerful golf authority in the world.

The LPGA had been the chief beneficiaries of Whan’s talent for 11 years, where he forged his reputation for success and transformation. When he joined, the Tour was struggling to establish the worldwide presence required to generate investment and keep the talent pool ticking over. But under his leadership, women’s golf in all parts of the globe benefitted. Whan brokered deals with his counterparts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia, which thrust the LPGA into genuine ‘global brand’ status and ensured significant increases in the number of tournaments, prize money, television coverage and overall membership.

When Whan was finally lured to the USGA 11 years later, the number of registered LPGA pros was almost 50 percent higher than when he took over. LPGA Player President, Vicki Goetze-ackerman, said: “Mike rebuilt the LPGA Tour, reimagined its future, and he brought new events, new sponsors and a new value proposition around diversity and inclusion to the LPGA. He has that rare ability to get people of all ages and backgrounds excited and on board with his vision.”

But Whan’s record for change did not sit well with some on the USGA committee, his appointment coinciding with a raft of resignations, though he won the players over when he vowed to avoid interfering with course set-ups for the USGA’S 14 national championships, a subject that haunted Davis for much of his tenure. And it didn’t take long for Whan to stamp his authority, securing a title-sponsor deal with Promedica for the US Women’s Open which effectively doubled the prize fund to $10 million.

Whan’s outlook is to “advance, rather than preserve”, qualities that should ensure a prosperous future for the game at every level.

“What does the USGA actually do?” he was once asked. His answer? “Unify, Showcase, Govern, Advance”.

No one has created more headlines this year than Greg Norman. He’s been waiting a long time to establish a world tour, almost 30 years in fact, and has seemingly found the perfect partners in the Saudis. He is revelling in his role as the face of LIV Golf, waging a war against the PGA Tour and partnering with the Asian Tour and MENA Tour to upset the status quo.

Like Rory, we didn’t think LIV would ever get off the ground and yet Norman proved us all wrong, poaching 14 Major winners – including the European Ryder Cup captain – and delivering on his promise to make everyone sit up and take notice. Between Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson Dechambeau and Cameron Smith, his recruitment push has exceeded $650 million – and it’s not over yet. He is now plotting to sign seven of the world’s top 20 players ahead of an expanded 14-tournament league next season.

Of course, it’s easy to criticise his involvement in Saudi’s sportwashing campaign as morally unpalatable, but for the purpose of this list we cannot overlook all the good he has done in the game as well. He’s supported a raft of charities, established the QBE Shootout on the PGA Tour, and built a $400 million empire since leaving behind a career which delivered two Claret Jugs and 88 professional victories worldwide. That’s all in the past, of course, but Norman’s portfolio boasts a dozen brands, including a golf course design business and an apparel line bearing his iconic shark logo.

Ultimately, his entire legacy is likely to hinge on the success of LIV Golf and whether it can find a place to exist alongside or instead of more established Tours. For the time being, at least, he has positioned himself as golf’s chief antagonist and a major thorn in the sides of Jay Monahan and Keith Pelley.

LIV has only just begun. From my perspective, it was one heck of a year. And I don’t think there has ever been any new sports league that in its first year accomplished as much as what LIV Golf has accomplished. Our long-held dream of creating a league that puts golfers and fans first has arrived. Professional golfers are finally getting paid the way they always should have been paid. Fans are getting new and more exciting golf. The experience at our events is (like) nothing else. It’s fun – and that’s the way golf should be.