Scott O’Neil is the man in charge of the LIV Golf setup, and the CEO who replaced Greg Norman, believes there is space for both the breakaway league and the PGA Tour

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil discussed the PGA Tour(Image: Getty Images)

Scott O’Neil believes that while the PGA Tour is the dominant force in the United States, LIV Golf has the opportunity to grow globally.

O’Neil, who took over as the man in charge and replaced Greg Norman earlier this year, will have a huge say in the future of men’s professional golf. As things stand, LIV and the PGA Tour remain split, with the latter banning its players from competing with the former.

In 2023, the two sides announced plans for a framework agreement, however, two years later, it appears those involved are no closer to officially signing off on a deal that will end the fallout within the game.

It is hoped that the appointment of O’Neil and new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp will help speed things along, with the pair sharing a history that saw them attend Business School together. In a bid to get over stumbling blocks in negotiations, there is no doubt that both sides will need to make compromises.

And O’Neill is willing to accept that his league will never have the power to become the biggest player on American soil, putting his plans elsewhere. “I think they’ll for the foreseeable future have a dominant position in the U.S,” the CEO told the Rick Shiels Podcast.

“And I think we’ll be the dominant player in the world.” LIV has made no secret of its desire to take the sport to all corners of the world, having hosted events in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Spain, Mexico, and the UK, as well as the United States.

Scott O’Neil is LIV Golf CEO(Image: Getty Images)

The league is also expected to bring in a new event in South Africa in 2026, which will see LIV travel to Africa for the very first time. Their focus elsewhere may well work in favor of the PGA Tour, though, whose U.S.-based schedule is seemingly not under threat from their LIV rivals.

There was also concern among the leadership team as to what the growth of LIV could mean for the sport’s leading circuit, but it appears to be remaining safe in its stronghold moving forward. One man involved in such decision-making is arguably the sport’s greatest player, Tiger Woods.

Like many, Woods has been an avid critic of the Saudi-backed league ever since its start-up. His lack of playing opportunities in recent years has seen him take on an important off-course role when it comes to the game’s politics.

The 15-time major champion will be looking to ensure the PGA Tour’s position remains as strong as possible, and this will no doubt be helped by O’Neil’s international-based stance.

Woods has, however, softened his stance on the LIV setup in recent months and appeared open to allowing players to return to the PGA Tour following the intervention of President Donald Trump.