The golf world has been in splits ever since 2022. Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV was never welcomed with open arms by the PGA Tour pros. But it looks like the new CEO is getting it all. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s brainchild TGL, after a delay of one year, has finally launched. The first tournament featured the New York GC & the Bay Golf Club is on! But how is the new CEO getting respect, you may ask?

Ahead of the inaugural match, Josh Carpenter took to his official X account and reported that he spotted LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and Fox Sports’ Jordan Bazant heading to the suite level at SoFi Center for the TGL debut.

We all know that Tiger Woods is a part of the PAC that is working on the much-delayed $3 billion merger, and how that has impacted the entire golf dynamic. Why did Norman never get the warm welcome? There has always been a strenuous relationship between the two. Woods reportedly rejected a staggering $800 million offer to join LIV Golf. In 2022, Woods remarked that for two leagues to come together, Norman has to go.

“There is no willingness to negotiate if you have litigation against you. I think Greg has to go first of all. It has to start with leadership on their side, understanding that what is happening right now is not the best future for the whole game of golf. You need to have the two bodies come together and if one side has so much animosity, trying to destroy our tour, then how do you work with that?”

Not just Woods, but TGL’s other owner, McIlroy echoed similar sentiments for the Australian veteran back then; “I think he just needs to exit stage left. He’s made his mark, but I think now is the right time to sort of say, ‘Look, you’ve got this thing off the ground, but no one is going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences.'”

Top Comment by SamR

Who cares about LIV golfers…why should they be involved? Have already watched more TGL than LIV!

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Debate

Greg Norman’s CEO contract with LIV is till August 2025, but per reports, Scott O’Neil will take the position ahead of the new season. It seems that after the merger, things are changing, not for Norman, but for the incoming CEO.

Surprisingly, the TGL founders were so against the Breakaway League that a certain player was removed from the confirmed teams upon their deflection.

Hideki Matsuyama replaced the golfer who joined LIV

Tyrrell Hatton reportedly signed a contract of a whopping $63 million and joined LIV Golf’s Legion XIII for the 2024 season. However, before his move, he was confirmed as a member of the Boston Common Golf Team on the TGL. This was led by Rory McIlroy, along with Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley. According to Tom Kershaw of The Times, contracts offered by TMRW Golf League had made it virtually impossible for TGL golfers to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf. The English golfer was then replaced by Hideki Matsuyama.

He was banned from playing any event on the PGA Tour, and since the entertainment series is backed by the Tour, this seemed obvious. The British golfer disclosed that the TGL contract explicitly stated that a golfer cannot participate in the TMRW Golf League if they are involved with LIV Golf. Hatton also shared that he informed McIlroy of his decision to join LIV, meaning he would not be participating in the Irishman’s team.

What are your thoughts on LIV golfers not being allowed to be a part of TGL? Let us know in the comments section below!