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Why Greg Norman Puts Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods on Blast for Nev

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Greg Norman Puts Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods on Blast for Never Confronting Him Directly

Greg Norman may no longer be the loudest voice of LIV Golf, but he is far from done stirring the pot. At 70, the Australian legend has shifted his daily focus from golf’s boardrooms to the deep seas, chasing shipwrecks near Cuba. But going beyond his recent antics, Norman still sounds very much like the man who once “tore” professional golf apart. Greg Norman recently decided to take a shot at Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods for never facing him while holding grudges.

“They would never sit down across a table from me and talk to me man-on-man, one-on-one,” Norman didn’t mince his words while talking about the PGA Tour official and unofficial spokespersons. And according to him, there is only one reason that this never happened: “because I’d win the debate all day long,” he said, matter-of-fact.

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READ: How Charlie Woods avoids freak injury as Tiger, Elin Nordegren su

A lot of stories unfolded in The Times’ exclusive on Greg Norman. He talked about Donald Trump, his close calls at the major tournaments, and, of course, LIV. But there was a larger point behind it all: to reveal the truth- the things he thought Rory and Tiger should have discussed with him, and what their silence ultimately meant.

Norman stated, “They couldn’t say to me, ‘Greg, you’ve hurt the PGA Tour.’ Hey Tiger, how much did you make out of the [Player Impact Programme]? Oh, Rory, how much did you make the last couple of years? What’s your prize money? I haven’t changed. I’m saying the same thing [as he did at LIV’s outset]. I’m just saying it with a lot of validation of the facts… everything [new] they’re getting is because of what I put in place.”

While Norman left the competitive realm decades ago, his public image is still contested. On one hand, he presents himself as a reformer trying to create new opportunities and shake up a system he believes was unfair. On the other hand, critics see him as someone driven by a long-standing resentment toward the PGA Tour, dating back more than 30 years, and view LIV Golf as the ultimate expression of that unresolved feud.

However, Greg Norman has blatantly rejected the idea that he was associated with LIV for revenge. He has shared how he feels that he has long been misunderstood. By daring the maestros of the sport to challenge him directly, he has called out what he sees as quiet opposition. More so because he seemingly believes that open conversation makes one more accountable than choosing whispered criticisms. He is disappointed regarding why both Woods and McIlroy chose never to confront him directly during the sport’s civil war.

The chaos surrounding LIV Golf this week only adds to the irony. The league he helped build is wobbling. However, Norman remains calm and away from the debacle. He has chosen to speak on how he still believes he was right to challenge the system. Now, while the Saudi-backed league struggles to find its footing under the leadership of Scott O’Neil, Norman has shared his unfiltered take on the decision of Koepka to sever ties with LIV and rejoin the PGA Tour.

Greg Norman happy about Brooks Koepka coming back to the PGA Tour

Norman left as the LIV Golf CEO back in 2025 as Scott O’Neil took over the reins. Unfortunately, his departure also triggered a pretty sombre phase for the Saudi-backed tournament. As the LIV Golf announced bringing in some radical changes, one of the biggest blows they faced was that of Brooks Koepka. One of the biggest stars of the game, Koepka, announced his exit from the league, citing family concerns.

However, as Koepka left LIV Golf with a year’s contract remaining, his future became clouded with uncertainties. As the PGA Tour required golfers from unauthorized leagues to serve a year-long ban, this meant that Koepka would have been out till mid-2026. Thankfully, with Rolapp introducing the ‘Returning Member Program,’ Koepka finally found a way in and is now a PGA Tour member. Now, while there have been a lot of criticisms of the move, Norman seems pretty much okay with the same.

“I love it. It’s free agency. Brooks had an option to stay with LIV or go back to the PGA Tour. He’s an independent contractor who can go wherever he wants. Look at what is happening with Bryson… God bless him. I hope he becomes a billionaire out of it,” said Norman.

Now, as Norman will continue to express his unfiltered thoughts, fans are eager to find out how LIV Golf functions in the absence of Norman.

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Why Greg Norman attacks Tiger Woods for not daring to

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Greg Norman attacks Tiger Woods for not daring to face him directly

At 70 years old, Greg Norman still refuses to fade quietly into golf’s background. The two time major champion, once the polarizing face of LIV Golf, has shifted his attention in recent months from boardroom battles to hunting shipwrecks near Cuba.

But despite a new lifestyle away from daily golf politics, Norman hasn’t stopped stirring debate, especially when it comes to Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Tiger Woods and Greg Norman

READ: ‘Without Her…’: How Tiger Woods Pays Tribute to Late Mother Kulti

In a recent interview with The Times, Norman openly questioned why two of golf’s most influential figures never confronted him directly about his role in upending the sport’s status quo. Instead of quiet criticism or behind-the-scenes grumbling, Norman insists Woods and McIlroy should have addressed their disagreements with him openly.

“They couldn’t say to me, ‘Greg, you’ve hurt the PGA Tour,'” he said, challenging the legends to sit down and squarely discuss their views.

Norman argues that many of the financial gains now enjoyed by PGA Tour stars trace back to the seismic shifts sparked by LIV Golf’s emergence. He pointed to the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program, which rewards players for their commercial and brand value, saying that arrangements like these might not exist without the competitive pressure from the rival circuit.

He also emphasized that his stance hasn’t changed: he still believes his actions validated players’ ability to negotiate better deals and increased the overall transparency of the sport.

For Norman, this is about more than ego; it reflects his belief that transparency fosters accountability. He has grown frustrated, he says, by what he views as whispered criticism rather than candid dialogue.

Norman won’t apologize for shaking up golf

Despite stepping away from leadership of LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed league he once helmed, he remains unapologetic about shaking up golf’s established power structure.

Critics, however, see his comments as the lingering echo of resentment dating back decades, viewing LIV Golf as the culmination of a personal feud with the PGA Tour.

Norman’s tenure with LIV was divisive. Woods and McIlroy each had publicly critical things to say about his influence during the sport’s “civil war,” and both called for his departure from leadership roles to help mend fractured relationships within golf.

Adding to the irony, the league Norman helped create now faces uncertainty under new leadership. Scott O’Neil has taken over daytoday responsibilities, and LIV is navigating defections, financial pressures, and a struggle to attract top players. Notably, Brooks Koepka’s decision to leave LIV and return to the PGA Tour only reinforces the challenges the league faces.

Yet Norman remains defiant. He continues to believe the disruption he set in motion delivered long-term benefits for players and continues to challenge the sport to face uncomfortable truths, not sidestep them.

For him, the silence of Woods and McIlroy is less about disagreement and more about missed opportunity for an honest conversation. And in true Norman fashion, he isn’t letting that go unnoticed.

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Phil Mickelson told Greg Norman exactly what he thought of him after being removed by LIV Golf

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Greg Norman has revealed that Phil Mickelson was among the players who reached out to thank him for his efforts after the Australian was ushered out as CEO of LIV Golf.

Norman was the driving force behind the creation of the breakaway league, luring top stars like six-time major champion Mickelson to turn their backs on the PGA Tour and join the Saudi Arabia-bankrolled circuit in 2022.

Two-time major champion Norman became golf’s most divisive figure as a result of the breakaway, leaving fractures in the sport that have yet to be healed. He would be removed from his post as CEO in January as the league hired a more statesmanlike leader in Scott O’Neil.

He did make a mistake': Greg Norman reacts to Mickelson controversy

READ: Phil Mickelson pours cold water on Tiger Woods’ Ryder Cup captain

Norman remained affiliated with LIV until September, when he announced his departure, and he has spoken publicly on his exit for the first time in an interview with Australian Golf Digest.

Norman says Mickelson, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood were among the players to show their appreciation to the 70-year-old after his association with LIV came to an end.

“There were certain players that really came up to me and there were a few others that came up to me and just thanked me for what I did for them, for being the tip of the spear, for taking it all on,” says Norman.

“Phil took [plenty of heat] too, but I took it on behalf of all the guys, so that to me was part of the job – I had to do it, right? And if you’re going to make meaningful change, running through a brick wall without getting bloody, that’s not going to happen.

“So, the guys did reach out to me – not all of them, no – but probably Phil was the one who really was very open about it and appreciative of what I did do. Poults was the same, along with Westy.”

In the interview, Norman said his three years as LIV’s commissioner and CEO took a significant toll on him. “I enjoyed my time at LIV. But I’ll be honest with you, it was hard,” he said.

“It was very draining on me. I was working 100-hour weeks. I’m not going to say all the abuse was anything [of consequence], but what hurt me the most was the lack of understanding of why people would judge me and give the abuse they did.

“That was the thing that bothered me the most, because I’m the type of guy who will happily sit down and talk about things. And if I’m wrong, I’ll admit I’m wrong.

“But don’t judge me. Don’t judge what LIV was truly all about.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Norman dubbed it “mission accomplished,” citing increased purses for players across the sport and securing LIV’s place in the professional golf ecosystem despite “headwinds” and “misperceptions.”

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How Greg Norman ‘heard’ that Tiger Woods prevented him from

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Greg Norman Tiger Woods

Greg Norman ‘heard’ that Tiger Woods prevented him from attending an Open Championship winners dinner 

The fallout from the creation of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league sparked a civil war between some of the sport’s most legendary figures.

Rory McIlroy acted as the face of the PGA Tour in their efforts to critique the new league. He was persistently vocal and adamantly against the new tour, criticising the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, who joined LIV Golf.

McIlroy has since softened his stance, admitting he was too judgmental towards the players who left the PGA Tour, but he wasn’t the only one to take that position.

Mouthpiece For The PGA Tour' - Greg Norman Hits Back At Tiger Woods | Golf Monthly

READ: I can do anything: Tiger Woods hints at possible comeback

Former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said that he “heard” that Tiger Woods prevented him from attending a pre-tournament dinner for Open Championship winners.

Greg Norman ‘heard’ that Tiger Woods prevented him from attending Open Championship winners dinner

Before every Open Championship, a pre-tournament dinner is hosted for the previous winners of the historic event. Norman is a two-time Open winner, lifting the Claret Jug in 1986 and 1993. But in 2022, he never received his invite.

Michael Bamberger of Golf.com explained, “When the British Open, the great championship of the world that Norman won twice, was last held in St. Andrews in 2022, Norman was not invited to a pre-tournament dinner of former winners, because, per semi-official R&A word, his presence would be a “distraction,” owing to Norman’s role as the face of the upstart LIV golf league.

“Norman said that he had ‘heard’ that Tiger Woods did not want him there, and that Woods told R&A officials that if Norman attended, he would not. ‘But I don’t know that that’s what happened,’ Norman said. ‘It’s just what I have heard.’”

Woods, the greatest golfer of all time, is one of the greatest ambassadorial assets that the PGA Tour has. He reportedly turned down an offer of $750 million to join LIV Golf, remaining ever-loyal to the PGA.

If Woods did indeed threaten not to attend the dinner if Norman was invited, then frankly, who would the R&A prefer to attend? It’s a no-brainer for them.

Tensions between Norman and the R&A have since thawed. The Australian was spotted at the 2025 Open Championship with an R&A guest badge. But despite a ceasefire in golf’s civil war, a proper resolution doesn’t appear to be on the horizon.

Successful 2025 leaves PGA Tour with leverage over LIV Golf

2025 was a resounding success for the PGA Tour in its ongoing battle with LIV Golf. On the course, all four majors were won by PGA Tour players. McIlroy won the Masters, Scottie Scheffler won The Open Championship and the PGA Championship, and J.J. Spain won the U.S. Open.

Only three LIV players, DeChambeau, individual title winner Jon Rahm, and Tyrell Hatton, were selected for the Ryder Cup. Admittedly, that’s partly because only their major championship performances counted towards the Ryder Cup standings. DeChambeau impressively qualified automatically despite that.

Off the course, the PGA Tour continued to dominate. They reportedly drew up to 10 times the number of viewers on overlapping weekends, with millions of viewers tuning in for some of the PGA Tour’s signature events.

LIV continues to improve its TV ratings following an American broadcast deal with Fox, but overall, their numbers are modest compared to the PGA Tour.

Cracks in LIV Golf’s armour have also begun to show. It was announced in July that LIV was no longer planning to pay players’ fines imposed by the DP World Tour, leading to speculation about the future of European players’ presence on LIV.

Right now, the PGA Tour has all the leverage and has no incentive to work out a deal with LIV Golf.

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