Annika Sorenstam moves LIV away from her

Last April, during an event in Adelaide, Greg Norman presented the idea of a Women’s Golf League associated with LIV Golf.

However, there is currently no tangible evidence of progress in the implementation of this project. The current dynamic among the women’s tours has Annika Sorenstam, a multiple Major champion returning to action in 2022, thinking about this prospect.

Annika Sorenstam, statements

Sorenstam said: “I think there is a place for LIV Golf in men’s golf, but the problem is that the direction they are taking is not clear. At first it seemed like it was aimed at a specific group, the over 40s, but now it’s not so clear anymore. I don’t understand who it’s intended for and how they intend to make it happen.”

As for a possible LIV Golf for women, Sorenstam pointed out that the Aramco Series already exists, which seems to have found its place and given women’s players a good opportunity.

Sorenstam is concerned that creating another women’s tour will hurt the LPGA Tour. She commented, “The LIV has a lot of funding available, which could undermine the LPGA Tour. I hope they are going to promote golf and partner with the LPGA. Women don’t have as many opportunities, and we shouldn’t compromise the ones we already have.”

Sorenstam’s voice joins that of other women’s tour veterans, such as Juli Inkster and Stacy Lewis, who share concern about a possible women’s LIV Golf and hope that the proposed merger between the LPGA Tour and the LET (Ladies European Tour) is successfully completed.

However, it is interesting to note that this merger project between the women’s tours suffered a setback due to the Aramco Series, which had been cited as an example of opportunity.

Last November, during the season finals in Spain, a vote by LET players on the merger with the LPGA Tour was scheduled. However, the vote was not held, and the LET board of directors adjourned the meeting without making any statements.

Earlier this month, LPGA Tour Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan sent a letter to all players to clarify the situation, linked to a last-minute request from Golf Saudi regarding the project. The letter said: “As an important partner of the LET, Golf Saudi wants to ensure that it fully evaluates the risks, implications and opportunities for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International and the Aramco Team Series before securing its commitment to the 2024 tournaments.”

In summary, women’s professional golf is in a phase of uncertainty and the outlook is yet to be determined, but it is clear that there are many considerations underway.