LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman is not expected to have any role in the PGA Tour merger, with him only finding out about the move just moments before it happened.
Originally the man in charge of LIV, Norman's name was not mentioned in the PGA-LIV statement when they had announced the move on Tuesday, with an unnamed and unconfirmed company reportedly involved.
With Norman's name not mentioned, it is now being reported that he isn't expected to have a role moving forward, and his position had already lessened with LIV in recent weeks. The governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), Yasir Al-Rumayyan, admitted that he had only spoken to Norman just moments before he gave an interview confirming the merge.
He said: "I made a call just before this and of course he is a partner with us, and all the stakeholders that we have with us they had the call right before this interview."
Sports Illustrated report that Norman's role has 'been more as a figurehead' in recent weeks, rather being the CEO and decision-maker, also adding that he is not expected to be part of the merge going forward.
The golfing legend was hired as CEO of LIV Golf back in 2021 with the league beginning the following summer, drawing controversy with players being boo'd for joining the Saudi-backed entity.
Norman had been a very defensive on LIV, and had criticised those within the PGA Tour - including naming Rory McIlroy, stating that he was "brainwashed by the PGA Tour".
Norman said of McIlroy: "All due respect, Rory. He doesn’t know anything about LIV. He knows something about the PGA Tour. He sits on the PAC (Player Advisory Council). But Rory doesn’t know what he’s talking about with LIV because he doesn’t know the facts.
"And if he wants to throw out a comment like that — I’ve always been a fan of Rory’s but my advice to him would be to just sit back, just take stock, watch what happens and watch what you say.
"Because in the end, there may be a situation where he’ll be asked a few questions that he may not want to answer because of the way he’s come out and been vocal on that front."
The deal between the LIV is set to end all pending litigation, after being embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit with the PGA. The LIV Golf season is set to go ahead is planned for 2023, with the new combined league to begin in 2024.
