Australian Greg Norman has been replaced as chief executive of LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed league announced on Wednesday.
LIV has announced that experienced sporting director Scott O’Neil is taking over the role from former British Open winner Norman.
“O’Neil will lead the strategic vision, business operations and global growth of the league, its 13 teams and its roster of world-class golfers, as well as its efforts to generate positive impact,” LIV Golf said in a press release.
“Greg Norman, who was instrumental in launching LIV Golf as its first CEO and commissioner, will hand over day-to-day management but will remain involved with LIV Golf,” the league added.
Norman, 69, is a polarizing figure in the divide between the PGA Tour and start-up LIV Golf, owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Leading PGA Tour player Rory McIlroy said in 2022 that Norman “has to go” if there was to be a reunification of the sport.
A controversial merger framework agreement was announced in June 2023 by U.S. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, but despite an easing of tensions between the warring factions, no deal has been finalized with the Yasir Al-led PIF. Rumayyan.
O’Neil, 54, worked as CEO of Merlin Entertainments and was previously CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing that he will build on everything that has been accomplished over the past three years,” said Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Board of LIV Golf.
“Scott has the passion, tenacity and vision to continue to build on LIV Golf’s position as the preeminent global sports and entertainment company and to lead our incredible teams and players for years to come,” he added.
Al-Rumayyan, who is also chairman of Premier League football club Newcastle United, praised Norman for his contribution to the league.
“When we started LIV Golf, there was no one more right than Greg Norman to lead the organization. I thank him for everything he did to establish, launch and grow our league. He was instrumental in in the success of LIV,” he says.
Talks between LIV and the PGA Tour passed a deadline last December and have continued with little progress since then, leaving men’s golf’s elite struggling to plan for a future with top talent spread across the PGA Tour and the LIV circuit.
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