Former LIV chief Norman says he would 'win' debate with McIlroy, Woods

Norman spearheaded LIV's aggressive recruitment push following its 2021 inception, with many of golf's biggest names being lured to the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit.

Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm were among the big-name players to join LIV, causing a bitter divide within the sport.

McIlroy and Woods were two of the PGA Tour's most ardent supporters before the circuit entered negotiations to merge with LIV in 2023, with those talks yet to yield any concrete results.

McIlroy has been particularly critical of Norman, saying it was a "good move" when LIV named Scott O'Neil as the 69-year-old's replacement earlier this month.

But Norman, a two-time major champion and winner of 20 PGA Tour tournaments, thinks he could still convince McIlroy and Woods of LIV's worth.

"I would love to sit down and talk to them about it, no question about it," Norman said in an interview with Australian Golf Digest.

"Because I'm not a judgemental person and you only learn the facts and truth when you hear the other side of it.

"But, yes, would I like to sit down with them? Sure, absolutely. And you know what? I'd win the debate."

LIV Golf announces Scott O’Neil as new CEO of the global golf leaguePress releasehttps://t.co/cdgKwCfOEp

— LIV Golf Communications (@LIVGolfComms) January 15, 2025

Norman also feels the PGA's star players should recognise they have benefitted from LIV's presence, saying the Player Impact Program – introduced in 2021 to reward the circuit's most impactful players and ward off interest from LIV – has made them richer.

"I would love them to recognise the fact that, like Tiger with his PIP money... that only came because of LIV, right?" Norman said.

"So Tiger benefitted from that. Rory's definitely benefitted from that."

Norman also believes the wider impact of his spell in charge of LIV has yet to be truly understood.