LIV Golf release statement about Greg Norman's future as commissioner

On Thursday, the Telegraph reported that the former CEO of TaylorMade Mark King could replace Greg Norman as LIV Golf commissioner.

Matt Chivers's picture
Fri, 11 Nov 2022
LIV Golf boss denies "PATENTLY FALSE" rumours of replacing Greg Norman as CEO

LIV Golf managing director Majed Al Sorour has wholly denied the reports Greg Norman could soon be replaced as commissioner of the breakaway series.

Al Sorour, who is also a director at Newcastle United of the Premier League, has rejected the claims that the former CEO of TaylorMade Mark King could replace Norman who would supposedly "move upstairs."

According to James Corrigan of the Telegraph, King was present at a number of LIV Golf events in 2022 and the tour has already held discussions with King, who is the current CEO of Taco Bell.

An insider said to the Telegraph that "if the PGA Tour and DP World Tour want to negotiate then King is a much less combative character than Norman."

In a statement to SI's Bob Harig, Al Sorour said: 

"Greg Norman is our CEO and commissioner. Any suggestion that changes are being made to Greg's title or role is patently false."

The rebel league has had to fend off a number of rumours to do with future developments, such as the alleged deal they've struck with Fox Sports to show the action on mainstream television platform for the first time.

Norman, 67, has been with LIV Golf since its inception. He has caused controversy when defending the human rights record of Saudi Arabia, the prospect of cooperation with the PGA Tour and his progress at earning LIV players world ranking points. 

The two-time major champion has staunchly defended the league which he has endeavoured to create since 1994, when his idea for a world golf tour was rejected. 

Norman has innocently insisted the LIV Golf Series is just another opportunity for players to play golf and he has previously described the opposition to the series as "deafening hypocrisy."

Since the start of the Saudi-backed series inaugural season, LIV has recruited the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith.

However, as many predicted, a legal battle between LIV and the PGA Tour is set to take place at the start of next year. Three players still remain in the antitrust lawsuit filed against the Tour which began with 11 players.

Next page: How much they all won during LIV Golf's first season