“No, I haven’t watched a bit of it because there’s a couple of players who’ve been very vocal against me.” This statement from Greg Norman sums up his stance on TGL, the tech-infused golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. And well, Woods has been pretty harsh about his stance on the Saudi circuit. Woods expressed his skepticism about LIV Golf in 2022, saying “I just don’t understand it” and “I just don’t see how that move is positive in the long-term for a lot of these players.” He believed that joining LIV Golf would ultimately harm the players’ careers, turning down an offer of $700 million to $800 million himself.

A long-standing feud indeed. Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf at the time, chose not to comment extensively on TGL, instead opting for a neutral tone, saying that increased exposure for golf is beneficial, regardless of the format. However, he couldn’t resist taking a subtle jab at TGL, implying that it’s not “real” golf, saying “Simulator golf is simulator golf…I think innovation is a wonderful thing,” drawing a comparison to miniature golf courses. He even said that the future of golf needed more concrete changes than what TGL sells, saying, “It’s just another gimmick.” But now it seems the former LIV CEO has changed his stance.

Per Palm Beach Post, Norman has made a surprising U-turn in his stance on TGL, now enthusiastically endorsing the tech-infused golf league. “The TGL is great,” Norman said. It’s a stark contrast to his previous comments and a welcome change for golf fans. “Everybody asks me what I think of the TGL, and I say ‘It’s fantastic.’ It’s more stuff, more golf, it’s more innovation. It’s taking things to a new level. It’s catering to a new market… There’s no angst or animosity from my perspective. It’s just magnificent now people are seeing the value that golf can give them.”

While Greg Norman‘s recent comments suggest a softer tone, his past rifts with TGL’s founders, particularly Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, leave uncertainty about the future dynamics between Norman and TGL.

Ignoring Greg Norman, TGL invited new LIV Golf’s new CEO at its debut

The golf world was abuzz with the launch of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy‘s TGL in January, and surprisingly, LIV Golf’s new CEO Scott O’Neil was spotted attending the inaugural match. A significant shift in dynamics! O’Neil’s predecessor Greg Norman was never welcomed with open arms by the PGA Tour pros.

The tension between Woods and Norman was palpable, with Woods having rejected a staggering $800 million offer to join LIV Golf. Woods had also publicly stated that Norman’s departure was a necessary step towards reconciliation, saying “There is no willingness to negotiate if you have litigation against you. I think Greg has to go first of all.” This sentiment was echoed by Rory McIlroy. While acknowledging his role in launching LIV Golf, he said that Norman should “exit stage left,” as there’s a need for a more mature leader to help mend fences and move the sport forward.

However, not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for LIV Golf’s involvement, with some fans questioning their relevance, saying “Who cares about LIV golfers…why should they be involved? Have already watched more TGL than LIV!” Despite these mixed opinions, Scott O’Neil‘s presence at the TGL debut suggested that a new era of cooperation might be on the horizon. What are your thoughts on TGL? Let us know in the comment section below!