LIV Golf chief Greg Norman has fired back at Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy after they called for the Australian star to step down. Norman has rocked the world of golf over the past year following the formation of the Saudi-backed series.
Two of LIV's biggest critics have been PGA Tour loyalists Woods and McIlroy, and their latest attack came after they both suggested Norman leaves his role as CEO in order for the two rivalling circuits to peacefully coexist. Speaking last month, McIlroy said :"I think Greg [Norman] needs to go, he needs to exit stage left.
"Look, he’s made his mark but now is the right time to say ‘look, you’ve got this thing [LIV Golf] off the ground but no one is going to talk unless there's an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences."
These comments were then echoed by the Northern Irishman's business partner Woods, who addressed the issue at this week's Hero World Challenge. Discussing how the PGA Tour and LIV could end their feud, he commented: "As it is, not with their leadership, not with Greg there, and his animosity towards the Tour. I don’t see that happening.
"I think Greg has to leave, first of all. As Rory said, I think he has to leave and then we can eventually figure something out and talk freely. I think it has to start with leadership on their side, there is a lot of animosity."
Just days later the war of words has continued, after Norman fired back. Speaking to Today's Golfer, the Australian addressed Woods and McIlroy's comments, insisting he is 'going nowhere'. "I pay zero attention to McIlroy and Woods, right?
“They have their agenda for whatever reason. They’re saying whatever they want to say. It has no bearing or effect on me. I’m going to be with LIV for a long, long period of time.
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"I am not going anywhere. I don’t care what anybody says. I’m not going anywhere. I am so proud of the position I am in and maybe, maybe, it’s my leadership that has them scared. Maybe…” Hitting out at Woods' claim that the two tours can not work without together as long as Norman remains in power, the Aussie said: "Of course it can happen under my leadership.
"I mean, Tiger might be a messenger, right? Who knows. All I know is we are going to keep doing what we’re doing with LIV and we are just going to keep moving forward.”
