The shark steps aside, and a new wave rolls in. LIV Golf has officially named Scott O’Neil as its new CEO, replacing Greg Norman as the leader of the Saudi-backed circuit. The announcement comes after O’Neil resigned as CEO of Merlin Entertainments, a company that manages over 150 theme parks and resorts worldwide. Before that, he had extensive experience in the sports world, having led Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which oversees the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. He also served as the CEO of the 76ers and president of Madison Square Garden from 2008 to 2012. While Norman will no longer be at the helm, LIV confirmed he’ll stay involved with the league in an undisclosed role.

However, Scott O’Neil’s transition into the role wasn’t as smooth as expected. At least during the first few weeks of the new season. The 2025 LIV Golf Riyadh wrapped up on Saturday, February 8th, at the Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia. Adrian Meronk claimed the individual victory, securing a wire-to-wire win with an impressive 17-under par over 54 holes. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII dominated the team event from start to finish, with all four of its players finishing in the top 15. As expected, the celebrations were as grand as any LIV event, and Scott O’Neil, newly appointed as LIV Golf’s CEO, was right there to join in.

However, O’Neil’s first taste of the LIV Golf experience was far from seamless. Reflecting on his initial moments with the organization, he opened up about his awkward first-time jitters. “It felt like my first day of school, but it was actually a bit embarrassing,” he said. “I even got denied entrance into one of the VIP areas! I had this badge that was supposed to get me anywhere, but the person at the door just shook me off.” It wasn’t the easiest introduction to the world of LIV Golf. Despite having a badge meant to grant him access everywhere, O’Neil still found himself in an uncomfortable situation. But he didn’t let it get to him. “I told her, ‘I don’t want to make this uncomfortable, but I have to run the league,'” he recalled.

“She looked at me and said, ‘Oh, I know who you are.’” Luckily, his colleague Jensen stepped in to help smooth things over, and O’Neil could move on from the moment. Still, the experience stuck with him. The awkwardness didn’t stop there. “That group of people harassed me for the next two days, asking if I was hungry and if I needed something to eat the whole time,” he admitted. It was a bit of an uncomfortable situation, especially considering that many of the people involved were sponsors. Despite the minor challenges, O’Neil took it all in stride, admitting that following in the footsteps of an icon like Greg Norman—who is known globally—was both humbling and inspiring.

As O’Neil continues to settle into his role, these first moments in the LIV Golf world serve as a reminder of the realities of leadership. Even in the world of high-profile sports, things don’t always go smoothly. Yet, it’s clear O’Neil’s commitment to the league is unwavering, and he’s eager to embrace the challenges ahead. Because let’s not forget, he has a lot to take charge of.

Things Scott O’Neil has on his list

Scott O’Neil has a tough road ahead as LIV Golf enters its fourth year. The league has struggled to connect with golf fans, with viewership on the CW Network so low that LIV stopped releasing those numbers. And that’s not all. It has also failed to garner too much attention. LIV Golf has once again failed to announce any major new signings to its roster. While it still features big names like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Cam Smith, most of its players are either past their peak or have struggled to maintain their spot on the tour.

Unless there’s a major surprise in the coming weeks, this is likely how the roster will look for 2025. With multiple obstacles ahead, LIV Golf will need to make some bold moves to secure its future. The road ahead won’t be easy, but for O’Neil, the real test is just beginning. Stay tuned to see how he navigates these challenges.