Nick Faldo launches scathing attack on Greg Norman and "meaningless" LIV Golf

26 January 2023 , 11:25

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Sir Nick Faldo has hit out LIV Golf and long-time rival Greg Norman (Image: Stuart Franklin/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Sir Nick Faldo has branded the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour "meaningless", while slamming long-time rival and LIV CEO Greg Norman for 'wrecking' his legacy.

Faldo and Norman had a memorable rivalry in the 1980s and 1990s, with Norman spending more weeks at the top of the sport's rankings but Faldo winning six majors to the Australian's two.

And Faldo has taken aim at Norman over his involvement with LIV, telling Sky Sports News: "He was a great golfer. He really was a charismatic, exciting golfer and he's absolutely wrecked all of that."

Faldo also branded LIV "embarrassing" and took issue with their claim they are growing the game of golf. "It's a closed shop: 48 guys given loads of money," he added.

"What gripes me is it's not growing the game of golf. That really gets me when they fly across the world to a country that's been playing golf for 100 plus years and say, 'we're growing the game of golf'.

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"If they keep saying they want to grow the game of golf, go and take it to new regions. Countries in the early days of being interested in golf now.

Faldo says Norman has "absolutely wrecked" his legacy as a result of his involvement with LIV (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"Try that rather than just trying to antagonise everybody. Whatever they want to do, go and do it. Let these youngsters play what we deem is real, competitive golf.

"Once you've decided to retire, disappear, move on, or go to another job. No one's going to talk about you, so just go and do your thing and get on with it.

"They're antagonistic, pitching events up against big events on the PGA Tour - and it's the same here in Europe. It's pretty embarrassing."

Matthew Cooper