Greg Norman calls out Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy: ‘Debate me!’
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Greg Norman’s time as LIV Golf’s CEO may be over, but the Australian is still keen to discuss the state of the game with his two biggest critics
Greg Norman is in no doubt his time at the helm of LIV Golf was a success – and now he would like to get in a room with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy and have it out.
In his first interview since handing over the CEO and commissioner reins to Scott O’Neil, Norman confirmed he “will stay involved with LIV in some way, shape or form” but that it “won’t be as consuming as it was before”.
Speaking to Australian Golf Digest, he added: “When I look back on my past three and a half years, from my past 20 years, oh my gosh, I really have changed the game of golf more than what people realize.”
With that extra time on his hands, the two-time Open champion says he is keen to meet with his two biggest critics.
Both players have been condemning of Norman’s divisive nature since LIV’s inauguration, with McIlroy in particular taking regular digs, including telling people it was time for him to “exit stage left”.
But Norman said many of the elevated riches the PGA Tour players have enjoyed in recent years – including the introduction of Signature Events and the Player Impact Program – would not have happened without him.
“I would love them to recognize the fact that – like Tiger with his PIP money – that only came because of LIV, right? So Tiger benefitted from that. Rory’s definitely benefitted from that,” Norman explained.
“I would love to sit down and talk to them about it, no question about it. Because I’m not a judgmental person and you only learn the facts and truth when you hear the other side of it.”
While McIlroy’s stance on Norman seems to have softened in recent weeks, the Australian admitted he has not watched any of TGL – the simulator-based team league founded by McIlroy and Woods and their TMRW Sports company.
“But, yes, would I like to sit down with them? Sure, absolutely,” Norman added.
“And you know what? I’d win the debate.”
As for what happens when his time with LIV Golf officially ends on August 31, Norman said: “I’m going to stay on the board. That will still be part of my life.”
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Alex has been in the golf industry since 2007 and has helped shape a number of publications in that time. He joined Today’s Golfer in January 2025 to lead the brand’s news division.
He is a keen golfer who claims to play off 12 and enjoys traveling the world to try new courses. His three favorites are Royal North Devon, the Old Course at St Andrews, and Royal Portrush – with special mentions for Okehampton and Bude & North Cornwall, where he first fell in love with the game.
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Greg Norman wants to debate Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
