What ex-LIV CEO Greg Norman wants Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy to understand

Greg Norman’s LIV Golf tenure will officially come to an end later this year after Scott O’Neil replaced him as CEO last week. But before he departs, Norman said he would still be willing to sit down and talk with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy about one subject.

No, not the TGL.

Speaking with Australian Golf Digest, Norman, who has traded barbs with McIlroy and Woods since LIV’s inception in 2022, said he’d want to get what he views as the final word in the LIV-PGA debate.

“I would love them to recognize the fact that — like Tiger with his PIP money [Player Impact Program] — that only came because of LIV, right?” Norman told the publication. “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.”

“But, yes, would I like to sit down with them? Sure, absolutely. And you know what? I’d win the debate.”

Norman and LIV fractured the golf world and caused a bitter divide that professional golf is still trying to mend. That split was highlighted by the feud between McIlroy and Norman, who threw shots at each other throughout the opening phases of golf’s civil war.

Norman said the PGA Tour had “brainwashed” McIlroy, while the four-time major winner called for Norman to “exit stage left” and let the “adults” bring the game back together. McIlroy also zinged Norman when he passed him on the all-time PGA Tour wins list during the week that LIV launched.

Last week, McIlroy praised LIV’s decision to move on from Norman as a “good move” for a league that is “now established.”

As for Woods and McIlroy’s new simulator golf league, TGL, don’t expect Norman to tune in. But just because he won’t watch for personal reasons doesn’t exactly mean he hopes it fails.

“No, I haven’t watched a bit of it because there’s a couple of players who’ve been very vocal against me,” Norman told Australian Golf Digest. “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.”

News

The TGL has received mixed reviews during its first two weeks on air. It’s clear the league has potential, but there are several things they need to patch up for it to thrive.

As for LIV, the breakaway league will begin its fourth season in February in Riyadh. The league recently announced a television deal with Fox, which will be Norman’s legacy regardless of whether or not the interest in the league spikes. (For more on this, read the Hot Mic by my colleague, James Colgan.)

There has been no news on the pending PGA Tour-LIV merger in quite some time. Adam Scott, who is part of the PGA Tour Enterprises transaction subcommittee negotiating with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), said negotiations are slow-moving as they await word from the U.S. Department of Justice.

While Norman won’t be part of further negotiations with the PGA Tour, LIV’s departing CEO leaves his post believing he accomplished his mission.

“When I look back on my past three-and-a-half years, from my past 20 years, oh my gosh, I really have changed the game of golf more than what people realize,” Norman said.

While McIlroy and Norman will never see eye-to-eye on LIV and its purpose, the Northern Irish star did tip his cap to Norman for getting the league going before noting that it was time for him to hand the reins over.

“Greg took a lot of flak the first couple of years,” McIlroy said last week in Dubai. “He is probably one of the only guys in golf who could have taken on that role. He got it off the ground, and you have to commend him for that. Now, it’s time for someone with a bit more experience to take over.”