Greg Norman Out at LIV Golf: CEO Steps Down

greg Norman Steps Away From LIV golf, Eyes Future Role with Brisbane Olympics

Greg Norman has officially concluded his tenure with LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed golf league he helped establish, announcing the move via social media. His contract with LIV expired at the end of August, and he was previously replaced as the league’s CEO by Scott O’Neil at the beginning of the year. “Together,we built a movement that changed the game globally. We created opportunities for both players and fans and broadened the ecosystem of golf,” Norman wrote in a Facebook statement. “We truly globalized the game and expanded golf’s reach to fans around the world. We brought entertainment, innovation and private equity into golf (including to the PGA Tour) positioning the sport as an asset class. It’s been an incredible chapter, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished. My commitment to do what was and still is, the right thing for golf, the players and fans never waivered.”

Did you know? – Greg Norman’s initial attempt to create a rival golf tour was in the 1990s with the World Golf Tour. It aimed to challenge the PGA Tour but ultimately lacked sufficient player commitment and funding.

Norman’s vision for an option golf league dates back decades. In the 1990s, he attempted to launch the World Golf Tour, an international circuit that ultimately failed to materialize. His more recent endeavor, LIV Golf, faced notable opposition from established players and the PGA Tour, with figures like rory McIlroy, a five-time major winner and the defending Masters champion, voicing strong criticism. The league,backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund,disrupted the golf landscape and sparked a contentious debate about the sport’s future.

The relationship between Norman and the traditional golf establishment appeared strained,culminating in a reported denial of access to the 2024 Masters Tournament. Norman, a three-time masters runner-up, was reportedly forced to purchase a ticket on the secondary market to attend the event, observing the tournament from the gallery.

Pro tip: – The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia provided the financial backing for LIV Golf, injecting considerable capital into the sport and attracting high-profile players with lucrative contracts.

Despite stepping down from LIV Golf, norman’s involvement in the sporting world is far from over. He has been appointed to the organizing committee for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic games, a role that allows him to contribute to the games in his native Australia. “As for what’s next…stay tuned!” Norman wrote. “Exciting times ahead. Onward to the next adventure.”

Norman,70,leaves behind a legacy as a two-time major winner and a dominant force in golf,having held the No. 1 ranking in the world for 331 weeks – second only to Tiger Woods’ 683 weeks at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking. His departure from LIV Golf marks the end of a chapter, but signals a continued commitment to the sport and a new focus on bringing the Olympic Games to his homeland.

Reader question: – Do you think LIV Golf ultimately succeeded in its goals of changing the golf landscape, or will the PGA Tour maintain its dominance? Share your thoughts!

Why did it end? Greg Norman’s contract with LIV Golf expired at the end of August. He had also been replaced as CEO earlier in the year by Scott O’Neil, signaling a shift in leadership. While Norman frames it as a natural conclusion to his chapter, the strained relationship with the traditional golf establishment and the league’s controversial origins likely played a role.

Who was involved? Key figures include Greg Norman, the founder and former CEO of LIV Golf; Scott O’Neil, his replacement as CEO; Rory McIlroy, a prominent critic of LIV Golf; and the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the league’s financial backer.

What was LIV Golf? LIV Golf was a Saudi-backed golf league designed to disrupt the established PGA Tour by offering lucrative contracts to top