Greg Norman piles pressure on Bubba Watson after LIV star admitted he could be dumped from league
Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, has intensified the spotlight on two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson as the American faces potential exclusion from the LIV Golf series. Watson, who transitioned from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in 2022, is currently one of 15 team captains in the league. Despite his prominent role as a captain of the RangeGoats team, Watson’s position in the league is under scrutiny due to the league’s performance-based relegation system.
The structure of LIV Golf includes a provision where four players who finish the season in the lowest standings are relegated from the league. Additionally, players who fall outside the top-24 positions face potential removal through free agency. With the 2024 season approaching its crucial phase, Watson finds himself precariously close to the relegation zone, which has prompted significant concern about his future with the league.
Greg Norman, the Australian golfing legend and CEO of LIV Golf, has publicly emphasized the pressure on Watson, acknowledging the high stakes involved. During the recent UK event, Norman addressed the situation, noting Watson’s struggle to maintain his standing. “You look at the players that are in that zone,” Norman said, referencing the relegation zone that Watson is near. He added, “I watched Bubba on TV all day yesterday. You can see his face going up and down, so you don’t think he’s under pressure. Damn right he’s under pressure.”
Watson himself has been candid about his potential future with LIV Golf. He has previously stated that he is open to stepping aside if he is no longer deemed competitive. In August of the previous year, Watson shared his willingness to be removed from his playing role if necessary. He remarked, “I told my team if they don’t think I am good enough to play, they can kick me out and we will put another good golfer in my place. I am going to play until they kick me out.” Watson expressed his passion for mentoring younger players, stating, “I love helping the young guys. They are all trying to be better and also better at golf. I get to influence three golfers in life; they are all parents and young dads. I want to be there for them, and if they have a problem, I want to be able to help them.”
As the season progresses, Norman has stressed the urgency for players at risk of relegation to improve their performance. “We are in the meat and bones of the season,” Norman said during the second round of LIV UK’s broadcast. “Players know there is relegation coming up, and things are going to change up very quickly. These guys who are on the edge have got to pull their socks up and get themselves going.”
Norman also highlighted the competitive atmosphere surrounding LIV Golf, noting that there is significant interest from players eager to join the league. “We knew that we had to create this pathway of opportunity for the next generation,” Norman commented. “And there are players out there with FOMO [fear of missing out] right now. They want to get in. So the players who are in know that there’s that FOMO wanting to get in, and they don’t want to get out. I see the intensity on the driving ranges. Each and every day, practice round, first round, even this morning you can see it elevating.”
The competitive pressure within LIV Golf is palpable, and as the season nears its conclusion, players like Bubba Watson face critical decisions regarding their future in the league. Norman’s comments reflect the high stakes and the intense competitive environment that characterize the current phase of LIV Golf.
