Rory McIlroy: 'Golf would benefit from Greg Norman LIV exit'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Published: November 15 2022 | 16:01

Last updated: November 16 2022 | 16:08

McIlroy: 'Golf would benefit from Norman LIV exit'

Rory McIlroy says that golf has the best chance of progressing forward if Greg Norman departs his CEO role with LIV Golf.

Rory McIlroy has called for Greg Norman to leave his role as CEO with LIV Golf in order for golf to move forward in 2023.

Throughout this year, the sport has been divided by the emergence of LIV Golf, which has been financially backed by Saudi Arabia and has had one of the sport's legendary figures in Norman fronting its product.

High-profile names such as Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka have all made the jump from the PGA Tour, participating in some or each of the eight events which were staged from the middle of the year through to the end of October.

As many as 14 events are planned for next year and LIV are confident of continuing to attract more notable players to their brand.

LIV are currently locked in lawsuits with each of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, the latter due to be resolved in February with LIV players currently continuing to play on that tour.

Despite resolutions potentially being found and ordered in the near future, McIlroy feels that Norman should depart his position in order for there to be "an adult in the room" if future discussions between the rival organisations take place.

Greg Norman pictured in September 2015 © Reuters

Speaking to the media ahead of this week's DP World Tour Championship, the Northern Irishman said: "Nothing will happen if those two things [lawsuits] are still going on.

"You're limited in what you can do. Then I think from whatever happens with those two things, there's a few things that I would like to see on the LIV side that needs to happen.

"I think Greg needs to go. I think he just needs to exit stage left. He's made his mark but I think now is the right time to sort of say, look, you've got this thing off the ground but no one is going to talk unless there's an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences.

"If those two things happen, then things can happen. But right now, it's a stalemate because there can't be any other way. Hopefully something can happen, who knows."

McIlroy is one of seven players who can win the DP World Tour title in Dubai, the 33-year-old currently ahead of Ryan Fox, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry and Adrian Meronk.