Greg Norman definitely attracted the ire of Rory McIlroy when he became the CEO of LIV Golf, a position he has since left.
Scott O’Neil is now in the hot seat in LIV Golf, which is currently facing real concerns over its long-term future.
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Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly close to pulling its funding for the league, which could have major consequences for everyone involved.
And its former CEO Norman has now opened up on his role in the early stages of LIV Golf, which certainly left PGA Tour star McIlroy very frustrated.
Greg Norman regrets his differences in opinion with Rory McIlroy
Norman was asked on Dan on Golf for his take on McIlroy recently winning his sixth major title at The Masters, and what makes the Northern Irishman so great.
The Australian two-time major winner replied: “I think you have just got to look at his longevity. How he has sustained.
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“He went through that mode where he bulked up and tried to hit the ball further and further, then he realised that is not everything and scaled back.
“Respect for Rory as a player has always been there. It is not easy to come over to the United States and be a dominant force on this platform over here, but he has done it on a consistent level and I admire and respect that.
“One thing that is our differences with our opinions. I just wish I had sat down with Rory and a few others on the PGA Tour, to explain to them what my mission was and what LIV’s mission was.
“When I look at social media as to what Brian Rolapp said recently, I went hallelujah. Finally! Because Brian was an outsider coming into the world of golf, he had a different prism to look through.
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“He looked at it from a fan point of view and an innovation stand point and how to bring the players to a stronger level within the organisation. Have the players say more. That’s what we did with LIV.
“Look what we did for Bryson DeChambeau. He got his IP back. And look at him on social media now, he has a massive YouTube following.
“If he stayed on the PGA Tour, that probably wasn’t going to happen. So giving the players this additional opportunity was something, and I was so pleased to see that from Brian Rolapp the other day and I have always complimented him since he came in.
“He has a whole new approach with golf and what he has done with the NFL is significant. So I am very, very impressed with Brian and the position he is taking right now.”
Photo by Jason Butler/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau have gone down very different paths
McIlroy does indeed deserve huge praise for his recent efforts at Augusta, where he beat Scottie Scheffler by one stroke to claim the green jacket for a second time.
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LIV Golf superstar DeChambeau also played at the major championship, but failed to make the cut after a disappointing opening two rounds.
As Norman noted, the American has certainly been able to grow his social media presence, but playing on LIV Golf may just be hampering his chances of major success.
Intriguingly, DeChambeau may focus on only filming content and playing in majors going forward amid the uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf.
The next steps for the Saudi-backed tour and its star players remain up in the air, but it’s fair to say that McIlroy can relax over his future on the PGA Tour.
He remains one of its biggest stars, and currently has the luxury of picking and choosing the events he plays in how he sees fit, which often leads to great success.
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Read more:
Ian Woosnam suggests if Rory McIlroy is the greatest European golfer ever
How much money Rory McIlroy had to pay in tax on the $4.5m he earned from winning The Masters
Dan Rapaport picks who’ll win more majors out of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy
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