(BBC) – LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman says there will be “more apples falling from the tree” following Jon Rahm’s decision to join the Saudi-funded tour.
Rahm announced he would be leaving the PGA Tour for LIV earlier this month.
The move represented a huge U-turn for the two-time major winner, who had previously ruled out joining LIV since its inaugural season in 2022.
“To have Jon on board was critically important to our future and what we want to do,” Norman said.
Speaking to World Business Report, Norman added: “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree – no question about it, because LIV continues to develop.”
Rahm, 29, said in 2022 that LIV’s three-day events, with shotgun starts and no cut, were “not appealing” and he was chasing a golfing legacy over money.
However, the Spaniard now joins other major winners on the breakaway tour including Brooks Koepka, who won this year’s US PGA Championship, 2022 Open champion Cam Smith and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson.
Rahm is reportedly set to earn upwards of £450m ($566.4m) as part of his switch.
Norman said Rahm’s move has caused other players to consider signing for LIV.
“Since Jon signed, less than a week ago now, I know my phone is blowing up,” Norman said.
“I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board.”
However, Norman said he has not tried to get world number two Rory McIlroy, a staunch opponent of LIV, on board.
Critics say Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented spending on sport has been used to improve the oil-producing kingdom’s reputation over its human rights record and its environmental impact.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister said claims of sportswashing against the country are “very shallow”.
Australian Norman, a two-time major winner, said Saudi Arabia “really cares” about golf, adding that the animosity LIV has faced since its inception has been “disappointing”.
