Greg Norman issues players with stern warning as LIV Golf stars face relegation axe

Greg Norman, the head honcho of LIV Golf circuit, has fired off a fierce message to the players lagging behind , urging them to 'pull their socks up' as the threat of relegation looms over several high-profile players in the controversial Saudi-funded league.

In the final stretch, with just three tournaments left on the schedule , including the current LIV Golf UK event, some golfers are teetering on the edge of getting the boot from the league. By the end of the season, four golfers will face the chop courtesy of the league's relegation system, compelling them to look for new greens in 2025.

Sitting in the hot seats of the individual standings and staring down the barrell of relegation are Branden Grace, Scott Vincent, Kieran Vincent, and Kalle Samooja. Notably, the latter two climbed up the ranks following promotions from Q-School last winter.

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However, even those hovering above the drop zone aren't out of the woods, as Harold Varner III, Pat Perez, Jinichiro Kozuma, and Mito Pereira are all dangerously close to danger as the countdown continues. With the clock ticking down, LIV's big boss Norman has issued a stark reminder of the urgency.

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"We are in the meat and bones of the season," declared the former world No. 1 during LIV's second-round live airing.

"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."

The demotion of four players has opened up opportunities for new blood to join the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league. Launched in June 2022, this divisive tour has lured some of golf's biggest names, and Greg Norman has hinted at a long line of players keen to sign up.

Norman spoke about the league's ambition to nurture emerging talent: "We knew that we had to create this pathway of opportunity for the next generation," he remarked. "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."

He also commented on the fierce competition he observes: "I see the intensity on the driving ranges. Each and every day, practice round, first round, even this morning you can see it elevating."

Additionally, those not making the cut into the top-24 could be at risk of losing their spots if their deals with LIV Golf conclude.

Even team captains feel the heat, as shown by Bubba Watson's recent struggles. Despite his high profile, Watson hasn't been on top form since signing up with LIV Golf, and Greg Norman was straightforward in his assessment: "You look at the players that are in that zone, they know they're in that zone, the relegation zone Bubba Watson, for example, 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."