Greg Norman (69 years old) has announced that he will be replaced as executive director of LIV Golf, a position he has held since 2021, a year before the birth of the circuit promoted by Saudi Arabia. After a long time, the ‘Jaws’ saw his dream of creating an international circuit come true, although from the first moment he was pointed out as the bad guy by his rivals, a role that he did not mind assuming.
The Australian has been identified as a divisive figure in the war between the LIV and the PGA Tour, although the winner of two British Opens fulfilled his mission of creating a product that in some way competes with the dominant circuit. His role, among others, has been to ‘steal’ some of its stars from the PGA Tour, so it was to be expected that he would not arouse sympathy.
Rory McIlroy requested his departure so that there could be harmony in the so-called golf war. Despite what could be considered a business victory for Norman, he has decided to step aside: “I have seen how the LIV has gone from being a business model on paper to reaching the golf courses and establishing itself wherever is today,” he commented first on Indiana’s WISH-TV network. The former player has declared that he is indeed leaving his position: “Yes. There will be a new executive director. I agree with that.”
The ‘Shark’ commented that he will continue to be involved with the LIV, but the truth is that the fact that he is leaving the front line and is no longer the visible face of this competition, suggests that an agreement between the PIF will soon be announced ( Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund) and the PGA. Recall that in October we even saw the commissioner of the American circuit, Jay Monahan, play golf with Yasir Al-Rumayyan (PIF). The latter has even been seen with Donald Trump lately. Hopefully, the golf war will be over soon.
