Report: LIV Golf's Greg Norman to be FORCED OUT of PIF merger with PGA Tour
Sports Illustrated reports LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman had "little notice of merger" and that he "likely won't be involved going forward".
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman "likely won't be involved going forward" with the PGA Tour's PIF merger, according to Sports Illustrated.
Norman, who has acted as LIV Golf CEO from the very start of the Saudi-backed operation last June, only learned of the shock PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf merger just before it went viral on Tuesday.
⛳️#WATCH Jay Monahan & Al-Rumayyan talk about the LIV/PGA merger and ‘unifying the game of golf.’
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 6, 2023
The merger that comprises all three global Tours will now form a separate for-profit entity with funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has funded LIV Golf for the past 12 months.
It is believed the team element of LIV Golf will form a huge part of the new venture, but no official details have yet been confirmed.
The name of the new venture has yet to be finalised, either.
The deal, which effectively ends the split in men's professional golf, was revealed earlier today during a CNBC interview.
PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan was joined with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan to announce the news to the world.
But there was no sign of Norman, who was said to have been telephoned the huge update by his boss just moments before the interview went live on CNBC.
How do you feel about the LIV Golf, PGA Tour, DP World Tour merger?!
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 6, 2023
"I made a call just before this and of course he [Norman] is a partner with us, and all the stakeholders that we have with us they had the call right before this interview," Al-Rumayyan said on CNBC.
Al-Rumayyan is also the chief of Newcastle United, who will play Champions League football in the 2023/24 season.
Sports Illustrated reached out to Norman for comment but he did not respond.
A source has told SI Golf's Bob Harig that Norman "was not expected to be part of the venture going forward".
Interestingly, Norman’s name was also not mentioned in the official announcement that was sent out to the media.
Norman would later tweet on Tuesday night: "A great day in global golf for players and fans alike. The journey continues!!"
How long exactly Norman's journey with LIV Golf continues remains to be seen.
A great day in global golf for players and fans alike. The journey continues!!
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) June 6, 2023
DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley was also not part of the interview but he did post a video at the time of the announcement.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour on today's landmark agreement between DP World Tour, PGA TOUR and PIF. pic.twitter.com/ezV07DQKnQ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 6, 2023
He later spoke to Sky Sports' Jamie Weir, and revealed the door is now open for some players who thought their Ryder Cup careers were over.
It just won't be this year though.
PGA Tour players have been voicing their "disgust" just about all afternoon on various social media platforms and via text messages to golf media.
One PGA Tour pro believes not even Monahan can survive this merger, especially after some of his past comments about Saudi Arabia and LIV Golf.
LEAKED: PGA Tour pro text reveals "no way players will be okay" with LIV merger!
This is because, like Norman, none of them were informed of the merger.
Not even Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy.
One man who was certainly not happy about the merger was Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee.
