Greg Norman claims Saudi-backed breakaway tour has secured several big-name golfers

The spearhead of golf’s new breakaway tour Greg Norman says the Saudi-backed circuit is ready to announce the signings of big-name players despite many stars turning down his advances.

Norman, 67, is leading the LIV Invitational Series, which has set out plans to host eight new multi-million dollar tournaments this year to rival the PGA and DP World Tours.

However, even with big rewards on offer, many golfers such as Rory McIlroy have decided not to join up to the new league, citing moral reasons.

Yet speaking to The Telegraph, Norman claims to have a host of other well-known players already signed up despite being rejected by McIlroy.

He said: ‘We’ve respected the Masters and let it go off, but now our journey is finally coming to fruition – for the players not for me.

‘Their rightful place to have what they want. That’s why they are still very, very, very interested. We have players signed, contrary to the white noise you’re hearing out there.’

According to reports, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson are among those set to be unveiled as LIV Golf’s new recruits.

Earlier this year, other high-profile golfers such as Phil Mickelson were ready to join Norman’s new $225million tour.

But following the publication of a controversial conversation with golf writer Alan Shipnuck in which the 51-year-old described the Saudis as ‘dangerous motherf***ers’ due to their human rights record, Mickelson pulled out as did Bryson De Chambeau and Dustin Johnson.

LIV Golf’s opening event is set to be hosted at the Centurion Club in St Albans in June – a week prior to the US Open – where a 28-man field will compete for a $25m purse, with both individual and team rewards on offer. 

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