Greg Norman praises himself for 'changing golf' as LIV boss clarifies future

Greg Norman's time as LIV Golf CEO is over, but he looks back fondly on his time in charge of the breakaway league by talking up his impact on the sport at large

Greg Norman says he has changed professional golf "more than people realise" after his tenure as LIV Golf CEO came to an end.

The Aussie was the driving force behind the launch of the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway league in 2022 as commissioner and CEO, but his time in charge is over. The two-time major champion, 69, has been replaced by American sports executive Scott O'Neil, who has had stints working with the New York Knicks and Philadelphia Eagles.

Norman had become one of the most divisive and controversial figures in the sport as LIV's figurehead, successfully driving the split from the PGA Tour and securing LIV's place in the professional golf landscape. A consensus, therefore, developed on both sides of the divide that Norman stepping aside would make a peace deal between the rival tours easier to achieve.

Despite taking a step back, Norman insists he will continue to be involved with LIV's management beyond the end of his contract this summer. Norman patted himself on the back in an interview with Australian Golf Digest.

"Once my official tenure at LIV is up, which is August 31st of this year, I will stay involved with LIV in some way, shape or form. I’m going to stay on the board. So there will be that part of my life, but it won’t be as consuming as what it was before,” Norman said.

“When I look back on my past three-and-a-half years, from my past 20 years, oh my gosh, I really have changed the game of golf more than what people realise.”

Norman undeniably fulfilled the brief of disruptor asked of him by his Saudi paymasters. LIV has assembled a roster featuring some of the biggest stars in the sport, including Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, and the league last week announced a multi-year broadcast deal with FOX Sports.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, LIV Golf chairman and governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, thanked Norman for his service in a statement last week.

"When we launched LIV Golf, there was no one that made more sense to lead the organization other than Greg Norman," Al-Rumayyan said. "I thank him for everything he has done to establish, launch and grow our league. He has been instrumental to LIV’s success."

Norman's 70th birthday is approaching next month, but he insists he is not ready to retire. He wants to continue working with LIV, as well as designing golf courses around the world.

“I’d like to double the portfolio of golf courses I’ve opened," he said. "I’ve done 124 now. I’d love to have 250 done in the next whatever number of years. So, no retirement. Slow down, yes. But no retirement.”