Greg Norman has officially stepped down as CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf – the Saudi-backed breakaway league he has helped to establish over the last few years
Greg Norman proclaimed “LONG LIV GOLF” as he officially stepped down as the CEO of the Saudi-backed league.
The 69-year-old has been instrumental in poaching top golfers like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson from the PGA Tour to join the breakaway circuit since the inaugural season in 2022. Although he will no longer be at the helm, Norman will continue to be involved with LIV in a yet-to-be-determined capacity.
In a statement, Norman congratulated his successor, Scott O’Neil, saying: “First and foremost, congratulations to Scott. He is exactly the type of experienced professional who understands the unique and powerful combination of entertainment and sports that LIV Golf exemplifies.
“The league will be in very good hands with him at the helm. I started this journey more than 30 years ago, knowing in my heart and mind that the game of golf and its professional players were undervalued, delivering a product that felt stagnant.
“With LIV Golf, we changed the game forever. None of this would have been possible without the vision and leadership of LIV’s chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. He always knew what was possible and he never wavered from his belief that golf and the business of golf could be more than it was in the past.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished or more pleased with where the league stands today. I’m excited to pass the baton of day-to-day management and continue to help do what I can to grow LIV Golf. LONG LIV GOLF!”
Scott O’Neil is the new LIV Golf CEO ( Image: LIV Golf)
The incoming boss will now take over trying to recruit more world-class golfers to LIV, secure a hefty TV deal and get official recognition from the OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking). He is also expected to be involved in the merger talks between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – LIV’s financial backers – and the PGA Tour.
LIV Golf Board chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan added: “On behalf of the board of directors, we welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing he will capitalize on everything that has been accomplished over the past three years.
“Scott has the passion, the tenacity, and the vision to continue leveraging LIV Golf’s position as a pre-eminent, global sports and entertainment company and to lead our amazing teams and players for years to come.
“When we launched LIV Golf, there was no one that made more sense to lead the organization other than Greg Norman. I thank him for everything he has done to establish, launch and grow our league. He has been instrumental to LIV’s success.”
O’Neil has described the chance to join LIV as a “dream come true” and the league’s progress as “remarkable” under Norman. He continued: “There has never been a better time to unlock real financial investment, bring team golf and innovation to the forefront, drastically lower the fan age demographic, and put fan experience and fun at the centre of everything we do. LIV Golf represents the future of the sport and will ensure the future of the golf ecosystem for years to come.”
