Jon Rahm once hinted that LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman might need to step down for the sport to achieve harmony, and now there are reports suggesting this could become a reality.
On Tuesday, it emerged from Sports Business Journal that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which backs LIV Golf, is on the lookout for a new CEO to possibly succeed Norman. Having been at the forefront since its inception two years ago, Norman is tipped to assume a new position within the enterprise.
Despite shaping LIV as a formidable rival to the PGA Tour across three seasons, his involvement has not been without discord, casting him as a contentious figure in golf.
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Before switching to the Saudi-financed circuit after sealing a staggering $600 million deal last December, Rahm commented on Norman's role, suggesting that Norman's departure might be key to mending fences with the PGA Tour.
Back in November 2022, Rahm shared his thoughts, remarking, "I think Greg has had a vendetta against the PGA Tour for a long time. And when you have an ulterior motive, it can cloud your judgment a little bit. Greg is a player, not a businessman, even if he has been successful in that area. To me, he has an ulterior motive beyond just creating a golf tour. He's had this vengeance for 30 years."
The Spanish golf star raised concerns about the leadership dynamics, stating: "His intentions might not be as pure as they could, which is a problem. So he might not be the best person for the job, even if he has done great things for the tour.
"I do believe that, for conversations to take place, Greg might need to be gone. Right now, it doesn't seem like he and Jay [Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner] will want to be in the same room together."
Rahm then hinted at the necessity for change at the top for the sport to progress, despite showing support for Monahan: "Even if they disagreed, it would have been good to talk," he said. "So to get a resolution we might need one or both of them gone. I hope not. Jay has done a great job for the PGA Tour."
In a significant development last June, the PGA Tour announced a preliminary deal with PIF, led by Monahan and Saudi leader Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
However, subsequent reports indicated Norman's exclusion from the deal, fuelling speculation about his role as LIV CEO. In response to these rumours, Norman confidently refuted any claims of his departure last October: "I knew it wasn't 'true'," he declared, dismissing the circulating gossip.
"There's so much white noise running around out there, I paid very, very, I actually paid zero attention to it. I know sitting in this seat today, I know every step I've made has been for the right reasons, right reasons for the game of golf."
