What is driving the Super Golf League?

The concept of a rival circuit to the game’s established tours has been around for more than 20 years, with former world number one Greg Norman unveiling his plans in 1994 but failing to gain any traction.

However, Norman is back again as the figurehead of a Saudi-backed 300 million US dollar investment into the Asian Tour he describes as ” only the beginning”, with the Australian also expected to become the commissioner of a new breakaway golf league.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the developments so far and what could happen next.

How did the possibility of a breakaway league resurface?

The Premier Golf League (PGL) was the first to outline proposals, in January 2020, for 48 players to compete in 54-hole tournaments with no cut and an individual and team league format, with the weekly individual winnerclaiming £2.8million and last place picking up £106,000. The eight-month season would begin in January, with 12 of the 18 tournaments played in the United States and featuring a shotgun start to fit in a five-hour broadcast window.

Is that the same as the Saudi-backed Super Golf League?

No. PGL chief executive Andy Gardiner told the PA news agency that talks had taken place with Saudi investors – among others – but that “it didn’t come to pass and we went our separate ways.” The PGL did come close to a deal with the European Tour before the latter signed a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour in November 2020. The PGA Tour did not respond to Gardiner’s request for talks over possible collaboration.

What is the SGL offering?

Details of tournaments and formats have not been made public, but it would be no surprise to see elements of the PGL proposals included. What is clear is the amount of money available to tempt