Greg Norman’s longstanding differences with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are no secret, but the now former LIV Golf CEO has claimed that LIV’s arrival on the scene has been beneficial for the two biggest names in world golf.
Speaking to Australian Golf Digest, the man dubbed ‘The Shark’ claimed that he wished to bury the hatchet with his two adversaries, but is adamant that, should conversation turn towards LIV’s impact on Woods and McIlroy personally, Norman feels that he’d have the upper hand as both Tiger and Rory have both reaped financial rewards as a result.
“I would love to,” he said. “I would love them to recognise the fact that – like Tiger with his PIP (Player Impact Program) money – that only came because of LIV, right?
“So, Tiger benefitted from that. Rory’s definitely benefitted from that.
“I would love to sit down and talk to them about it, no question about it. Because I’m not a judgmental person and you only learn the facts and truth when you hear the other side of it.
“And you know what? I’d win the debate.”
Woods and Norman’s differences stem back to 1996 when Tiger, having just turned pro and won on his fifth PGA Tour start as a professional, listed the Shark Shootout – the Norman-hosted event in Florida in what’s commonly known as ‘Silly Season’ – on his tournament schedule, but the tournament organisers claimed that Woods had not yet been invited. A subsequent invitation did arrive, but Woods declined.
Since then, relations have been strained and both Woods and McIlroy had suggested that Norman’s involvement was a barrier to any sort of agreement being reached between the PGA Tour and LIV’s backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and stated their desire to see him step aside.
Since then, Woods and McIlroy have debuted the innovative TGL which has received mixed reviews in its first two weeks. But despite the lingering animosity, Norman’s has not been one of the critical voices for the simple reason that he has yet to watch any of it.
“No, I haven’t watched a bit of it because there’s a couple of players who’ve been very vocal against me,” Norman said.
“So, I’m not going to say anything positive or negative about it. All I can say is, the more golf gets exposure in different ways, the better off it is.
“Simulator golf is simulator golf. We had putt-putt and all those miniature golf courses we built around the world. I think innovation is a wonderful thing, I’m not going to belittle that.
“I wish them all the very best and success because it’s the market, right? They’re going to be pulling people into the game of golf.”
While Norman continues to be involved with LIV and will do so until the end of August at the very least, former Merlin Entertainments CEO Scott O’Neill has stepped into his shoes as LIV Golf CEO, but Norman expects to continue to work with LIV in some capacity going forward.
“Once my official tenure at LIV is up, which is August 31st of this year, I will stay involved with LIV in some way, shape or form,” the Australian added.
“I’m going to stay on the board. So, there will be that part of my life, but it won’t be as consuming as what it was before.
“When I look back on my past three-and-a-half years, from my past 20 years, oh my gosh, I really have changed the game of golf more than what people realise.”
But with less duties with LIV, it will free Norman up somewhat to focus on his golf course design business.
“I’d like to double the portfolio of golf courses I’ve opened,” he said. “I’ve done 124 now. I’d love to have 250 done in the next whatever number of years.
“So, no retirement. Slow down, yes. But no retirement.”
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