Greg Norman leaves LIV Golf: A farewell with an announcement

After four years at the helm of the controversial LIV Golf League, Greg Norman is stepping down. The Australian, who was regarded as the face of the Saudi Arabian-financed tournament series, is ending his tenure, closing a turbulent but successful chapter in his career. His departure marks a turning point for the league, which is now taking a more conciliatory course, and opens up new paths for Norman himself in his home country.

Norman's departure comes as no surprise. He had already handed over operational management to new CEO Scott O'Neil in January 2025 and taken on a less public role. Now his contract, which expired at the end of August, has officially not been extended. O'Neil is to lead the league into a new, second phase. This is characterized less by confrontation and more by cooperation, which is reflected in the efforts to work with the majors, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and the PGA Tour.

Greg Norman leaves LIV Golf for good

In his farewell messages on social media, Norman looked back on his work with pride. "Together we have created a movement that has changed the game worldwide," he wrote, emphasizing that his goal had always been to make golf more global and offer players better financial prospects. He referred to the massive investment of around 1.5 billion dollars by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF), which not only provided gigantic prize money, but also the signing of renowned players. "It has been an incredible chapter and I am proud of what we have achieved." He was convinced that the league had even influenced the PGA Tour with its innovation, entertainment and dynamism.

Despite massive criticism and conflicts with established golf organizations, Norman was instrumental in establishing LIV Golf. Under his leadership, the league grew to 14 tournaments per year, each with gigantic prize money of 25 million dollars. His tireless determination to rethink the sport also forced the PGA Tour to offer higher prize money and new signature events. He drove the team model forward, won new sponsors and helped to secure a TV contract, even if the really big reach has so far failed to materialize.

Greg Norman to help at the Olympic Games

At the age of 70, Greg Norman is now embarking on a new adventure that will take him back to his native Australia. He has been appointed to the organizing committee for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. The golf tournament will be held at the Royal Queensland Golf Club, the club where Norman worked in the golf store in his youth. He himself sees the new role as a privilege and announced that he has other exciting projects up his sleeve. "What's coming next? Stay tuned - exciting times lie ahead," Norman wrote in his farewell post.