The Australian’s time is up at LIV and he has looked back on his work with huge pride after years of controversy
09:44, 11 Sep 2025Updated 09:44, 11 Sep 2025
Former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman
Greg Norman closed the chapter on his controversial LIV adventure insisting he helped change the golfing world.
The Australian has stepped away entirely from the Saudi-backed Series having been the initial talisman who helped fire them out of the blocks.
Norman became a hugely-divisive figure when he helped LIV rip the likes of Bryson DeChameau, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Kopeka, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith away from the PGA Tour.
The Great White Shark played multiple roles before being replaced as CEO at the beginning of this year by Scott O’Neil.
Now, with contract expired at the end of last month, Norman has officially announced his time with LIV is up as he wrote on social media: “After four unforgettable years, I have officially closed out my time with LIV Golf, and reflecting with nothing but gratitude, pride and achievement.
“Together, we built a movement that changed the game globally. We created opportunities for both players and fans and broaden the ecosystem of golf.
“We truly globalised the game and expanded golf’s reach to fans around the world. We brought entertainment, innovation and private equity into golf [including to the PGA Tour] positioning the sport as an asset class. It’s been an incredible chapter and I’m so proud of what we accomplished.
“My commitment to do what was and still is, the right thing for golf, the players and fans never wavered.”
Open Championship 1986 at Turnberry Golf Resort, Scotland, held 17th – 20th July 1986. Pictured, Winner Greg Norman with his trophy in front of concorde.
Norman’s feisty approach to LIV created a huge split in the game in 2021 with superstars such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy vehement in their disregard of the set-up.
While tensions have clearly thawed in more recent times in the wake of the proposed framework agreement with a greater desire on both sides for the sport to reunite, the PGA Tour also responded by lifting purses.
LIV players are having increasing pathways into major championship events, although Norman himself was often not invited to such showpiece occasions.
In 2023, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said “keeping focus on the competition” was the reason behind the decision not to invite Norman to The Masters.
He wasn’t impressed and said: “As a major winner I always was [invited] before, but they only sent me a grounds pass last year and nothing, zilch, this time around. I’m disappointed because it’s so petty, but, of course, I’ll still be watching.”
The previous year, the Aussie also failed to receive an invite to The Open Championship at St Andrews at the height of the initial LIV tensions.
At the time, a release from The R&A stated: “In response to enquiries regarding The R&A Celebration of Champions field and the Champions’ Dinner, we can confirm that we contacted Greg Norman to advise him that we decided not to invite him to attend on this occasion.
“The 150th Open is an extremely important milestone for golf and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the Championship and its heritage. Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend. We hope that when circumstances allow Greg will be able to attend again in future.”
