Greg Norman declared LIV Golf had “modified the sport endlessly” after formally being changed because the chief govt and commissioner, however the Australian legend will “stay concerned” with the Saudi-backed circuit.
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Norman’s exit, having led LIV from its dramatic beginning and clashed with gamers together with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods after poaching main champions from the PGA Tour, had been flagged however is now full, with main American sports activities govt Scott O’Neil taking cost.
Whereas the warfare Norman began has thawed, with each the PGA Tour and LIV’s Saudi backers, the Public Funding Fund, in talks over a brand new deal to deliver them nearer collectively, the affect he had on the game prior to now three years can’t be understated.
Having signed the likes of majors champions Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith, when each had been ranked the second-best gamers on the planet, following the early inflow of gamers like Brooks Koepka, Bryson de Chambeau, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, LIV made a giant impression underneath Norman’s reign.
“I began this journey greater than 30 years in the past, understanding in my coronary heart and thoughts that the sport of golf and its skilled gamers had been undervalued, delivering a product that felt stagnant. With LIV Golf, we modified the sport endlessly,” Norman stated on his exit.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve completed or extra happy with the place the league stands at present.
“I’m excited to cross the baton of day-to-day administration and proceed to assist do what I can to develop LIV Golf. Lengthy LIV Golf!”
Norman was praised by lots of the gamers he lured to LIV, aided by seven, eight and nine-figure signing bonuses, together with a reported $140m for Smith.
Marc Leishman, who joined Smith’s all-Australian Ripper GC crew, stated Norman “put his butt on the road to make golf a greater sport” and deserved the final word respect.
However whereas LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan lauding him as “instrumental” to each little bit of early success, Norman misplaced the battle for world rating factors, cruelling makes an attempt for gamers who crossed over to get into the majors, and did not land a significant broadcast deal within the US.
The transfer to herald O’Neil additionally comes as Rahm conceded he and different gamers would have preferred to have seen extra development on talks over the framework settlement with the PGA Tour that might decide the course of LIV’s future.
“I believe a number of us would say that when that framework settlement was completed over a 12 months and a half in the past, issues could be additional alongside at this level,” he stated.
“And it’s actual laborious to know what goes on behind closed doorways, proper. It’s as much as folks a lot greater up than me. I don’t know what their imaginative and prescient is or what they’re anticipating out of it, proper. I believe so many people need some type of decision to come back collectively and get the very best product doable for the buyer, which is what I believe we’re nonetheless ready to do.
“However I believe we’re dwelling in a golden period proper now for golf the place the chances are countless. A giant tour in Europe and worldwide and a large tour, the PGA Tour, and you’ve got one other large product with LIV and now you’re even including the TGL. On the subject of golf, the chances are there proper now.
“I believe with the appropriate minds put collectively, you may find yourself with a product, and I’ve been saying this all alongside, that might put golf at a unique degree on the planet of sport. I’m nonetheless hopeful that that may occur and no matter it appears like, it’s going to seem like no matter it appears like.”