MIAMI, Florida — Australian Greg Norman has been replaced as chief executive of LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed league.LIV announced that experienced sports executive Scott O'Neil was taking over from former British Open winner Norman in the role.'O'Neil will drive the strategic vision, business operations and global growth for the league, its 13 teams and roster of world-class golfers, and its efforts to drive positive impact,' LIV Golf said in a statement.'Greg Norman, who has been instrumental to the launch of LIV Golf as its first CEO and Commissioner, will hand off day-to-day management, but will remain involved with LIV Golf,' the league added.Norman, 69, has been a polarizing figure in the rift between the established PGA Tour and the startup LIV Golf which is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).Leading PGA Tour player Rory McIlroy had said in 2022 that Norman 'needs to go' if there was to be a reunification of the sport.A controversial framework merger agreement was announced in June 2023 by US PGA Tour Commis-sioner Jay Monahan, but despite an easing of tensions between the warring factions, no deal has been finalized with the PIF headed by Yasir Al-Rumayyan.O'Neil, 54, has been working as CEO of Merlin Entertainments and previously was CEO for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
