Greg Norman has been a controversial figure during his time as LIV Golf CEO – and Jon Rahm once suggested he would need to step aside for the new league to find peace

Jon Rahm of Spain looks on during a practice round prior to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 at the Old Course at St Andrews on October 02, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

Jon Rahm had previously hinted that LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman might need to step down for golf to achieve harmony, and now it seems the Australian could be doing just that. According to a Tuesday report from Sports Business Journal, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) is on the hunt for a new CEO to steer the LIV Golf ship, potentially replacing Norman.

The ex-world number one has been steering the league since its inception two years ago but is expected to transition to a different role within the organisation. Norman has been pivotal in positioning LIV as a rival to the PGA Tour across the last three seasons, yet he’s also courted controversy as a divisive figure in men’s professional golf.

Rahm, who made the leap to the Saudi-backed tour after penning a staggering $600 million deal last December, had aired his thoughts on Norman’s leadership prior to his move, suggesting that Norman’s departure might be key for any detente with the PGA Tour.

Back in November 2022, Rahm shared his perspective, stating: “I think Greg has had a vendetta against the PGA Tour for a long time,” and continued, “And when you have an ulterior motive, it can cloud your judgment a little bit. Greg is a player, not a businessman, even if he has been successful in that area. To me, he has an ulterior motive beyond just creating a golf tour. He’s had this vengeance for 30 years.”

SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN – JULY 14: LIV CEO Greg Norman interacts with Jon Rahm of Legion XIII during day three of t the LIV Golf Andalucia at Real Club Valderrama on July 14, 2024 in Sotogrande, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

Golf ace Rahm has raised concerns about Greg Norman’s role in golf’s future, stating: “His intentions might not be as pure as they could, which is a problem. So he might not be the best person for the job, even if he has done great things for the tour. I do believe that, for conversations to take place, Greg might need to be gone. Right now, it doesn’t seem like he and Jay [Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner] will want to be in the same room together.”, reports the Mirror.

He also hinted at a possible shake-up, with either Norman or Monahan needing to step aside for progress: “Even if they disagreed, it would have been good to talk,” Rahm mentioned, supporting Monahan, “So to get a resolution we might need one or both of them gone. I hope not. Jay has done a great job for the PGA Tour.”

Earlier in June, amidst this backdrop, the PGA Tour had confirmed exploratory discussions with PIF, with Monahan and Saudi leader Yasir Al-Rumayyan engaging in negotiations. Surprisingly, Norman was reportedly left out from these talks, fuelling speculation regarding his tenure as LIV CEO.

Defiant, Norman addressed such rumours in October, stating: “I knew it wasn’t ‘true’,” in reference to the rumblings from a year before. “There’s so much white noise running around out there, I paid very, very, I actually paid zero attention to it. I know sitting in this seat today, I know every step I’ve made has been for the right reasons, right reasons for the game of golf.”