Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy had previously called on ex-LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman to be replaced as the breakaway league’s boss, and now the PGA Tour stars have got their way
Greg Norman believes the growth of LIV Golf has only benefited two of the league’s biggest critics in PGA Tour loyalists Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
It was announced by LIV last week that Norman would be stepping away from his role as CEO, after the league’s board appointed Scott O’Neil into his position. The Australian – who will remain with the league in some capacity – was behind getting the breakaway circuit off the ground in 2022.
Since then, Norman has carried the LIV setup through one of the most turbulent periods in the history of men’s professional golf amid the well-documented fallout with the PGA Tour.
A number of Tour allies were critical of both Norman and the rival league, with Woods and McIlroy vocal against the former world No. 1 in the early stages of the the sport’s civil war. In particular McIlroy had called on the Australian to “exit stage left” in order for the two tours to co-exist peacefully.
The PGA Tour pairing have of course now got their way, but Norman believes Woods and McIlroy have reaped the rewards during his time with LIV. “I would love them to recognise the fact that – like Tiger with his PIP money [Player Impact Program] – that only came because of LIV, right?” Norman told Australian Golf Digest.
“So Tiger benefitted from that. Rory’s definitely benefitted from that. I would love to sit down and talk to them about it, no question about it. Because I’m not a judgmental person and you only learn the facts and truth when you hear the other side of it.”
Greg Norman’s position as LIV Golf CEO has come to an end after almost three years
Norman was speaking after being quizzed whether he had watched Woods and McIlroy’s newly-launched simulator league TGL, but admitted he had no tuned in amid his war of words with his two rivals. “I haven’t watched a bit of it because there’s a couple of players who’ve been very vocal against me,” he added.
“So I’m not going to say anything positive or negative about it. All I can say is: the more golf gets exposure in different ways, the better off it is. Simulator golf is simulator golf. We had putt-putt and all those miniature golf courses we built around the world. I think innovation is a wonderful thing, I’m not going to belittle that.
“I wish them all the very best and success because it’s the market, right? They’re going to be pulling people into the game of golf.”
Norman has no doubt had his differences with the Tour duo, but the Australian claimed he would more than willing to sit down and debate with Woods and McIlroy, one he believes he would win. “Yes, would I like to sit down with them? Sure, absolutely. And you know what? I’d win the debate.”
Norman also confirmed in the interview that his current contract with LIV ends on August 31, but even after that time the former CEO will remain a part of the Saudi-funded circuit.
