Rory McIlroy has called for LIV chief Greg Norman to resign. The Northern Irishman has been a staunch defender of the PGA Tour amid the emergence of the controversial Saudi-backed circuit earlier this year.
LIV has lured some of golf’s biggest players to the circuit with their lucrative contracts and ability to play more like a free agent. The PGA responded by banning players who defected to LIV from playing in the Ryder Cup and along with Tiger Woods, McIlroy set up TMRW Sports that will launch a new innovative golf series.
It will take place on a virtual course inside an arena with a live audience. It will include a 15-match regular season starting in January 2024, and will feature six teams of PGA Tour players. Ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy has called for the controversial Norman, 67, to resign. “I think Greg [Norman] needs to go, he needs to exit stage left,” the four-time major winner said.
“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." His comments come just a day after Norman claimed that both McIlroy and Woods should be thanking him.
He believes the PGA Tour wouldn't have increased their prize purse for their Player Impact Program [PIP] without LIV, which Woods, 46, has reportedly won for the second year in a row. "The players on the PGA Tour are the benefactors of what LIV has done being a leader on a new delivery mechanism or platform,” the Australian said, quoted by GolfMagic.
“Every PGA TOUR player should be thanking LIV, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, because the PIP program wouldn't have been increased without LIV. Prize money wouldn't have been increased without LIV, all these other things that have been introduced by the PGA TOUR because of LIV.
“Competition is the best thing in life, in business and in sport. LIV is not going to go anywhere. LIV is just going to get better and better and better, and LIV Golf has only just begun."
Last week the Telegraph reported LIV bosses were looking for a replacement for Norman - who would then move upstairs into a different role - to ensure their business model goes to plan. But LIV Golf have denied claims they are looking to replace the CEO.
"Greg Norman is our CEO and Commissioner. Any suggestion that changes are being made to Greg's title or role is patently false," said LIV managing director Majed Al-Sorour, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
McIlroy's calls come ahead of expected talks between LIV and the PGA Tour to try and iron out some of their differences and allow rebel players to play at the sport's four flagship majors.
