LIV Golf CEO makes bold PGA Tour claim: "I think we'll be the dominant player in the world..."

Newly-appointed LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has told Rick Shiels the breakaway league will soon become "the dominant player in the world" when it comes to the professional game. 

O'Neil, who took over from golf legend Greg Norman as LIV Golf CEO at the start of the season, sat down to speak with golf YouTube sensation Shiels this week. 

Shiels asked O'Neil about a number of different hot LIV Golf topics, including his relationship with new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, what a merger with the PGA Tour could look like, and plans to soon enter the women's game. 

On his relationship with Rolapp, who officially takes over from Monahan as CEO in 2026, O'Neil admitted they share a close bond. 

O'Neil isn't sure Rolapp would ever come to a LIV Golf event anytime soon though, but he does think they'll spend some time together at The Open at Royal Portrush in two weeks' time. 

"We're friends," O'Neil revealed on the latest episode of the Rick Shiels Golf Show, which you can watch in full below. 

"I can say that, in the US, I've been in the sports business for so long and he's been in the sports business, there's only so many people in the world of sports in the U.S. We go to the same church (LDS), and so, we're friends." 

O'Neil added: "He's someone I know really well and have a lot of respect for. I doubt he'll come [to a LIV Golf event], it'll be too much of a new circus. I don't think I would encroach on his energy too. 

"I imagine he'll come to The Open and we'll spend some time."

O'Neil remained coy on what a potential merger with the PGA Tour could look like in the future, admitting it's still too early to speculate given both of he and Rolapp are still new to their roles, but he did claim both circuits will occupy dominant positions in the men's professional game. 

"I think they'll [PGA Tour] for the foreseeable future have a dominant position in the United States, and I think we'll be the dominant player in the world."

O'Neil's comments about dominating the world game come after the 2026 LIV Golf League schedule was leaked into the media. 

South Africa is the next new country to be added to LIV's growing worldwide schedule next season, if a Sports Business Journal report is proven to be true. 

Nine of 14 events on the LIV Golf schedule will take place outside of the United States in 2026. 

O'Neil also confirmed plans are in the works for LIV Golf to enter the women's game, likely by 2028. 

"I think in the next two to three years you'll see us enter women's golf, and fortunately on a platform of incredible investment by the kingdom and through Aramco and through Golf Saudi."

As for any new potential signings next season, O'Neil could not confirm anything but did say they are looking at a lot of up and coming talent. 

Watch Shiels' new podcast episode here: