Has Greg Norman Been Deliberately Neglected Amid Merger Talks? Jay Monahan’s Latest Memo Paints an Uncertain Future

PIF Chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan met Player Directors of the PGA Tour in the Bahamas. Interestingly, one conspicuous absence from the meeting was the LIV Golf CEO, Greg Norman. The Great White Shark has spearheaded LIV’s activities, from Jon Rahm’s signings to withdrawing their bid for world ranking points. Yet, the Aussie’s name has been a notable absence from the memo the Tour commissioner shared. 

What does Norman’s absence from a crucial meeting spell for the future of the LIV CEO? Does it further indicate that Norman has yet to earn a place among his future partners? 

Greg Norman is walking a tightrope

Jay Monahan detailed in a memo that the player-directors have a constructive dialogue with PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Monahan, in the memo, wrote, “During the session, Yasir (Al-Rumayyan) had the chance to introduce himself to our Player Directors and talk through his vision, priorities, and motivations for investing in professional golf.” For quite some time, a direct channel of communication between the PIF/LIV Golf and PGA Tour has been nonexistent. Which is why the Albany meeting was rather significant for both parties.

However, the player directors preferring to communicate directly with the PIF Governor himself rather than the CEO, Greg Norman, is a rather curious choice. Apparently, Norman was also clueless about the June 6 announcement until hours before. Most recently, Rory McIlroy said, that Norman has done a “disservice” to Al-Rumayyan’s idea for professional golf. In fact, the 24-time PGA Tour winner went on to call PIF and LIV Golf two separate entities.

Is this time for Norman to move away from his different position? Notably, PGA Tour officials wanted to clip his wings in the newly formed entity, PGA Tour Enterprises. It is not yet clear what position the former world No. 1 will have on the board. But there is an undercurrent of animosity between Tour players and Norman.

Why PGA Tour Pros have a bone to pick with Greg Norman

The animosity precedes Norman’s association with LIV Golf. While Tiger Woods had a fractious relationship with the Aussie, his comments in the wake of the LIV-PGA Tour battle were nonetheless significant. The 15-time Major champion said, “Greg has to go, first of all. Then obviously litigation against us and then our countersuit against them, those would then have to be at a stay as well.  So then we can talk, we can all talk freely.” 

There is a perception that Norman carries a vendetta against the Tour. That goes back to the ’90s, when his idea of global golf was sabotaged by then-commissioner, Tom Finchem, For Rory McIlroy, it dates back a few years. McIlroy revealed that after watching the ESPN documentary on Norman, he reached out to the Aussie despite their differences. 

However, just days later, Norman disparaged the Northern Irishman, claiming McIlroy had been brainwashed by the Tour. That acrimony has yet to die down, as the four-time Major winner’s recent comments show. That’s also despite Norman commanding McIlroy a few months ago to admit he was wrong on LIV. 

So, the sitting LIV Golf CEO is in a tricky spot. But let’s also not forget that Norman has delivered the goodies for the PIF, most recently by snatching Jon Rahm, who was also against Norman a few years ago. Perhaps that’s also the reason why Greg Norman pays “zero attention” to his detractors.

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