Tiger Woods’ demand for Greg Norman to step aside as LIV Golf CEO has finally come true, after the breakaway league confirmed his replacement on Wednesday.
LIV announced that Scott O’Neil would take Norman’s role effective immediately, having been heavily linked with the job in recent months. Confirming the appointment, LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan said: “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.”
It comes at an important time for the breakaway league, with Al-Rumayyan leading talks on behalf of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) with LIV’s rivals at the PGA Tour. Negotiations have been ongoing for some time on the back of a shock framework agreement announcement last June.
Men’s professional golf has remained split ever since the formation of the LIV setup three years ago, with the PGA Tour banning any player who opted to make the Saudi switch. Prior to the framework agreement talks, Woods claimed that for peace to prevail Norman was required to leave his role.
“Right now as it is, not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the Tour itself I don’t see that happening,” Woods declared at the backend of 2022. “I think Greg’s got to leave and then we can eventually, hopefully, have a stay between the two lawsuits and figure something out.
“But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you? They sued us first.” The lawsuits is question have since been dropped by both sides on the back of the beginning of the peace talks, and now Woods has his wish of Norman stepping aside to his duties.
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It brings to an end a rollercoaster tenure for Norman, who despite being replaced, will remain involved with the LIV setup in some capacity. Thanking Norman for his service, Al-Rumayyan said: “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.” Norman also had his say on the decision, remaining positive about the future of the league and the appointment of his successor.
“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,” said the former world No. 1.
“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!”
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