“Is there going to be a new CEO? Yes. There will be a new CEO. I’m fine with that,” former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman had said after he was essentially replaced after a three-year reign. While this marks an end of an era, controversy surrounding the exit has also run wild, thanks to some eyebrow raising statements from Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka (which we’ll get to later). But if you thought Norman was going to let that get to him, you’re wrong.

On January 29, the 69-year-old took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note. For context: The veteran was honored at the Australian embassy in D.C. with a Lifetime Achievement Award for all his efforts on behalf of his native country, during Australia Day celebrations. What’s more? Norman was reportedly handpicked by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to join a 24-person organizing board for the 2032 Olympics. Going out with a bang, isn’t he?

So, of course, he was going to let the world know that his dominance wasn’t over yet. Taking to Instagram, he wrote in the post: “An honour and a privilege – humbled!. Thank you @ausintheus Embassy, the entire team and @ausgov for last night. My Lifetime Achievement Award and 2032 Brisbane Olympics committee representation drives home my love and commitment to 🇦🇺. And congrats to all the other Aussie award winners. So proud of 🇦🇺. We punch well above our weight on ALL fronts. #australia #olympics”.

Interestingly, this comes amid a flurry of controversies regarding his departure. After news of Norman’s departure broke last year, most of the community seemed to almost rejoice. Why, you ask? Well, many industry heavyweights opined that the 69-year-old was reportedly making it harder for LIV Golf and the PGA Tour to reach an agreement. As per what Golf Digest’s Ryan Herrington opined earlier this month, “Greg Norman never missed an opportunity to promote the fledging golf league, often with a bombastic tone that only seemed to fuel the tension the Saudi-backed endeavor created while disrupting the world of men’s professional golf.” 

And then there were veterans like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who took it a notch higher. In December 2022, Woods (who serves as a member of the PGA Tour policy board) had said, “Right now as it is, not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the Tour itself I don’t see that happening. I think Greg’s got to leave and then we can eventually, hopefully, have a stay between the two lawsuits and figure something out.”

McIlroy, on the other hand, said just last week, after Norman was officially replaced by Scott O’Neil, “Greg took a lot of flak the first couple of years. He is probably one of the only guys in golf who could have taken on that role. He got it off the ground, and you have to commend him for that. Now it’s time for someone with a bit more experience to take over.”

Talking about O’Neil, the PGA Tour veteran had further said, “He has got the right credentials to take over a sports league. I think for LIV it is probably a good move now they are established.” However, it hurts even more when your kin hurts you, doesn’t it? Well, Norman doesn’t seem to be a stranger to that either.

While the golf community was shaken by the announcement, and responses ranged from nostalgia to interest in what LIV Golf would do next, Rahm and Koepka seemed more centered on the league’s bright future—particularly with its new broadcast agreement with FOX Sports—than they were with Norman’s farewell.

While Koepka didn’t make an opinion as staunch as Rahm, a lack of acknowledgement for your retiring CEO speaks volumes, doesn’t it? “Having FOX Sports on board is a huge win for LIV Golf. They know how to bring sports to life, and I’m pumped to see how they showcase what makes our game so unique,” the US golfer noted, talking about the league’s ambitious multi-year deal, that will see more than half of its 14 tournaments air on Fox or FS1.

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Rahm, on the other hand, didn’t mince his words at all. Just earlier this month, he opined, “Unfortunately, there’s been a little bit — possibly a little too much — bad blood between Greg and maybe the governing bodies. And to have somebody outside of that might help the situation. I think having an outsider — I say outsider because he has not been involved — could be a very good thing when it comes to him sitting down at the table with the other governing bodies. I think an outside perspective, and possibly a less threatening image, might help that, as well.”

Having said that, all the criticism aside, Norman’s future doesn’t look too dull. In fact, looks like he’s going to be pretty busy for quite a while.

Setting a new course: Norman’s future activities

Following his exit from LIV Golf, everyone is wondering what Greg Norman will do next. His recent appointments and current projects provide some indications of his future goals, even though he has not made them public. Outside of the Olympics, Norman has always been a savvy businessman, having worked on projects in the fields of clothing, winemaking, and golf course design. It’s conceivable that he will keep broadening his commercial pursuits, using his reputation and experience to investigate fresh prospects.

Furthermore, Norman may be able to assume positions that support the sportsmen of the future because of his enthusiasm for coaching and nurturing emerging potential. Aspiring athletes might draw inspiration from his path from a young Australian golfer to a worldwide sports legend. One thing is clear when the sports community makes predictions about Norman’s future: his lasting impression is still being forged. Greg Norman will continue to have an impact on the world through his commercial endeavors, mentoring, and contributions to the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.

In his own words, Norman is still “so proud of Australia,” and as he sets out on new projects, the country and the rest of the globe eagerly await how this iconic character will continue to influence sports and other fields. What do you think about Norman’s prospects? Let us know in the comment section below!