If you had a nickel for every time a new feud between PGA Tour and LIV golf surfaced on the internet, you would have quite some nickels by now. We mean, from players drifting to the Saudi-backed league to PGA Tour players trash-talking about it, we’ve seen it all. But what still makes a whole room gasp is any update on the drama between Tiger Woods and Greg Norman. The rival tour (do we still call LIV Golf that?),  launched in 2022, has been a point of contention in the golf world, and Woods, as one would expect has been constantly supporting the PGA Tour. Despite a merger framework being agreed upon in June 2023, the bad blood between Woods and LIV Golf has persisted, until now.

Woods’s stance on Greg Norman’s exit has become clearer, as it appears that he is more accepting of the new CEO than he ever was of Norman. But why do we say that? Well, the new LIV Golf CEO’s presence at the TGL debut, where he was in attendance at the SoFi Centre, suggests that Woods is open to working with the new leadership. This, combined with McIlroy’s comments about Scott O’Niel’s sports acumen is proof that Woods is more willing to give the new guy a chance than he ever was with Norman.

In contrast, Rory McIlroy has also recently come out in support of Greg Norman, the outgoing CEO of LIV Golf, who has acknowledged the challenges he faced during his tenure. “Greg took a lot of flack the first couple of years,” McIlroy told reporters who were present at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. “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.” McIlroy believes that Norman’s departure is not a negative move, but rather an opportunity for LIV Golf to bring in fresh leadership and expertise. “Now it’s time for someone with a bit more experience to take over,” he added.

McIlroy also had positive words for O’Neil, the new CEO of LIV Golf, saying “I saw Scott was confirmed… He has an amazing track record with what he has done in sports, in terms of managing teams and groups of teams, ownership groups. He has got the right credentials to take over a sports league.” McIlroy’s endorsement of Scott O’Neil suggests that he is optimistic about the future of LIV Golf under a new leadership. But that’s not all, because Norman’s exit from the rival tour will play a significant role in the merger as well.

Why did Tiger Woods think Greg Norman’s exit was important for the merger?

The tension between Tiger Woods and Greg Norman has been a major hurdle in the merger talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Woods had been adamant that Norman’s exit was a necessary step towards reconciliation. Back in December 2022, Woods made his feelings clear, stating: “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.” With Norman’s departure, Woods’s wish has been fulfilled, and the door is now open for a potential merger. Norman’s tenure as LIV Golf CEO was marked by controversy, but he will remain involved with the organization in some capacity.

The change in leadership has been welcomed by Norman himself, who expressed optimism about the league’s future under Scott O’Neil. Norman praised O’Neil as an “experienced professional” who understands the unique blend of entertainment and sports that LIV Golf represents. With the lawsuits between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf now dropped, the potential merger seems promising. As Norman passes the baton to O’Neil, the golf world waits with bated breath to see what the future holds for these two golfing giants because this ride is far from over.