Greg Norman names McIlroy wish as he discusses | Golf News

Greg Norman has admitted he regrets not having face-to-face conversations with Rory McIlroy and other top PGA Tour gamers to define his “mission” when launching LIV Golf.

Norman spearheaded the LIV Golf breakaway as CEO and commissioner in 2022, remaining in the place until last 12 months. He shortly grew to become the most polarizing determine in the game, going through intense opposition and criticism from the likes of McIlroy as a bitter rivalry erupted between the competing tours.

Instead, a fierce battle between the tours ensued, and 4 years later, LIV is struggling, with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund — which has bankrolled the insurgent circuit since its inception — set to pull funding at the close of this season.

Following this development, Norman has acquired some vindication after PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp acknowledged that LIV efficiently “exposed” weaknesses in the golf institution and sparked adjustments he believes are better for both gamers and followers.

Yet two-time major champion Norman, 71, is haunted by the sensation that he may have achieved more prior to LIV’s launch to win over the league’s critics.

“I just wish I’d sat down with Rory and a few others on the PGA Tour to explain to them what my mission was and what LIV mission was,” he told ‘Dan On Golf.’ And when I look at social media and what Brian Rolapp just said just lately, I went, ‘Hallelujah, hallelujah. Finally.’

“Because Brian was an outsider coming into the world of golf, he had a different prism to look through. He had it from a sports point of view, he looked from a fan’s point of view, he looked at it from an innovation standpoint, and how to bring the players to a more of a stronger level within the organization, have the players say more. That’s what we did with Liv.

“Look what we did for Bryson DeChambeau, proper? He obtained his IP back. And look with him now on social media, he’s obtained a large YouTube following. If he stayed on the PGA Tour, that most likely wasn’t going to occur.

“So, giving the players this additional opportunity was something. And I was so pleased to read that from Brian Rolap the other day. And I’ve always complimented him since he’s come in, right? Because he’s got a whole new, fresh approach to the world of golf.

“And what he’s achieved with the NFL and seeing the growth of the NFL is just vital, and where it is pushing out globally. So I’m very, very impressed with Brian and the place he’s taking proper now, particularly with that remark he made.” Norman also acknowledged uncertainty about whether or not LIV can continue without Saudi Arabia’s backing, stating the accountability now falls on his successor, Scott O’Neil, to receive substantial financial investment.