Leishman defends Norman’s reign as rumours of his replacement grow

First reported by Josh Carpenter at the Sports Business Journal, Greg Norman is set to be replaced as LIV Golf CEO with former Philadelphia 76ers CEO Scott O’Neil expected to take over the role.

Norman’s contract runs through August of 2025, and it is believed that he will remain with LIV Golf in a senior role having been front and centre since the league’s arrival on the scene in late 2021 and official start date in 2022.

A divisive figure in world golf, Norman’s role added fuel to the flames in the initial period with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods among the big-name stars critical of the man dubbed ‘The Shark’.

But fellow Australian Marc Leishman believes that the part Norman played in the league’s creation and early years is one that should be lauded and not just by golfers who joined him on the LIV circuit.

“I think he did a really good job,” Leishman said after the first round of the Australian Open where he and a number of LIV players are competing in the co-sanctioned DP World Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia event.

“I have no idea though. It’s not that I don’t keep up with it, it’s just that they operate the business, and I play golf, which is probably the way I like to be honest.

“The players have benefitted from it whether you’re on LIV or you’re not on LIV. He put his a*s on the line to get this started.

“Love him or hate him, as a golfer, he’s certainly helped our lifestyle.”

Despite both Leishman and Ripper GC teammate Lucas Herbert both admitting that they aren’t exactly kept up to speed on the behind the scenes workings on the business side of the Tour, both expect Norman to remain involved in some capacity.

“I think he will,” Leishman added. “He’s worked really hard, really given a few years of his life. We don’t know how many years that is.

“I would hate to think how many hours he works a week and how many hours he flies. LIV has been going for two and a half years, but how long he’s been doing it before that, who knows.

“He’s sacrificed a lot. Obviously, he’s got pretty well compensated as well, but I hope he stays involved in some way. [He’s one of] a few people that it’s their baby.”

LIV have yet to make an official comment on Norman’s position, but Sky News reported on Wednesday that O’Neil had stepped down from his most recent role as CEO of Merlin Entertainments, a London-based company that owns Legoland and Alton Towers among others, and this paves the way for an unveiling that could come as early as next week.