Greg Norman has flagged wild scenes on Augusta National’s 18th green on Monday (AEDT) if an LIV golfer wins The Masters.
The polarising Australian great never got to don the famous green jacket – being runner-up three times – but says the next best thing will be if an “LIV family” member trumps the field in golf’s most prestigious event.
A total of 18 LIV rebels are expected to contest the 2023 Masters, headlined by Aussie superstar Cameron Smith, who last year led the field before being overrun in round four by Scottie Scheffler.
READ MORE: ‘Cheap shot’ ripped as Tigers CEO cops barrage
READ MORE: Former NRL star’s wild bush footy brawl
READ MORE: Ricky Stuart perception that’s ‘simply not true’: Gallen
Six of the rebel players have won The Masters previously, but Smith is arguably the best chance of the bunch tasting victory this year, being the highest ranked.
“It would be huge for LIV, but I think it would be bigger for the game of golf,” Norman, the LIV Golf CEO, said from Orlando.
“Just think, if down the stretch it was Rory McIlroy against DJ (Dustin Johnson), it’d be off the charts, and Augusta now know that.
“Just let this play out because what we are doing for their brand is phenomenal. This is the first time in almost a year that the best players are playing against each other.”
While the PGA Tour has blacklisted all LIV defectors, the four majors are run independently and are allowing the rebels to still compete.
The Saudi-backed LIV tournaments feature a host of revolutionary changes designed to attract new fans to golf.
Players have adopted a Formula 1-style celebration that includes a podium and bottles of champagne being sprayed.
Leishman spills on LIV defection
Whether that happens at Augusta or not, Norman has put The Masters on notice that something a little different is coming.
“They’ve said that if one of them wins, then the other 17 will hang around and be there to congratulate him around the 18th green,” he said of the players.
“Could you imagine what a scene that would be, all these players hugging the winner?
“You only see things like that in the Ryder Cup, although it’s happening in our events more and more.”
The Masters will get underway on Thursday night (AEDT).
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
LIV Golf: The new teams and players confirmed for golf’s ‘other’ tour
