Greg Norman has mentioned that he would win a “debate” with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in regards to the influence of LIV Golf on males’s skilled golf.
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Norman, who will step down as CEO of the Saudi-backed breakaway golf league later this yr, has engaged in common slanging matches with Woods and McIlroy lately because the PGA Tour and LIV Golf rivals have butted heads.
The latter pair can be relieved that the Australian is vacating such an important function because the PGA Tour and LIV Golf work to a merger deal, with Woods calling for Norman to step apart again in 2022 as a result of his “animosity in the direction of the Tour itself” would inhibit negotiations.
McIlroy was way more direct, saying “Greg ought to exit stage left as a result of nobody goes to speak except there’s an grownup within the room”.
Norman in the meantime, has taken the chance in an interview with Australian Golf Digest, to say that he “would like to” sit down with Woods and McIlroy to speak by the state of the game as a result of he insists he would win the argument.
“I’d like to. I’d love them to recognise the truth that – like Tiger along with his PIP cash [Player Impact Program] – that solely got here due to LIV, proper? So Tiger benefited from that. Rory’s undoubtedly benefited from that,” Norman mentioned.
“I’d love to sit down down and discuss to them about it, no query about it. As a result of I’m not a judgmental particular person and also you solely study the details and fact if you hear the opposite facet of it.
“However, sure, would I like to sit down down with them? Positive, completely. And what? I’d win the controversy.”
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Scott O’Neil, who has held many sports activities and leisure administration roles, together with being CEO of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, will substitute Norman as chief govt, and is more likely to oversee an eventual peace deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
A merger between the factions was first formally placed on the desk in mid-2023, however is but to return.
Regardless that he is not going to be on the helm going ahead, Norman insists he’ll keep concerned in LIV as he believes his influence has been too nice to stroll away fully.
“As soon as my official tenure at LIV is up, which is August thirty first of this yr, I’ll keep concerned with LIV in a roundabout way, form or kind. I’m going to remain on the board. So there will probably be that a part of my life, however it gained’t be as consuming as what it was earlier than,” Norman mentioned.
“Once I look again on my previous three-and-a-half years, from my previous 20 years, oh my gosh, I actually have modified the sport of golf greater than what individuals realise.”
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On the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Traditional final week, McIlroy made way more complimentary feedback about Norman, however was additionally adamant that O’Neil is the proper particular person for LIV.
“Greg took plenty of flak within the first couple of years,” McIlroy instructed The Guardian after his opening spherical.
“He’s in all probability one of many solely individuals in golf that might have taken on that function. So he received it off the bottom and also you’ve received to commend him for that. Now it’s time for somebody with a bit extra expertise to take over.
“I actually don’t know what the longer term holds for them, however the strikes they’re making, particularly from an govt standpoint, it doesn’t seem like they’re going to go away anytime quickly.
“Scott was at our showdown match in Vegas [where PGA Tour paid McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler defeated LIV duo Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau] and so was Greg,” McIlroy added.
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“Scott was on the first evening of TGL too. He has received an incredible monitor document when it comes to what he’s achieved in sport, when it comes to managing totally different groups and teams of groups, possession teams.
“He’s received the proper credentials to take over a sports activities league. For LIV it’s in all probability a superb transfer now that they’re established.”
Norman in the meantime has steered away from TGL’s two matches to this point.
He revealed that non-public vendettas are the explanations for doing so, however reversed judgment on the idea itself, whereas saying he’s at all times supportive of innovation.
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“No, I haven’t watched a little bit of it as a result of there’s a few gamers who’ve been very vocal in opposition to me,” Norman mentioned.
“So I’m not going to say something optimistic or damaging about it. All I can say is: the extra golf will get publicity in several methods, the higher off it’s.
“Simulator golf is simulator golf. We had putt-putt and all these miniature golf programs we constructed world wide. I feel innovation is an excellent factor, I’m not going to belittle that. I want all of them the perfect and success as a result of it’s the market, proper? They’re going to be pulling individuals into the sport of golf.”