LIV star defends Greg Norman despite rumoured exit

LIV golfer Marc Leishman has heaped praise on Greg Norman after it was reported the league would replace him as CEO.

As first reported by Sports Business Journal, the Saudi-backed startup will hire former 76ers executive Scott O’Neil.

And ahead of Norman’s departure, Leishman claimed golfers both on and off LIV should be thankful for the Shark.

“I think he did a really good job,” Leishman said after the first round of the Australian Open.

“I have no idea though. It’s not that I don’t keep up with it, it’s just that they operate the business, and I play golf, which is probably the way I like to be honest.

“The players have benefitted from it whether you’re on LIV or you’re not on LIV. He put his a*s on the line to get this started.

“Love him or hate him, as a golfer, he’s certainly helped our lifestyle.”

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Norman founded the league in 2021 before initiating its first season a year later.

That’s when Leishman was convinced to make the move and, since then, he’s banked over $18 million from on-course earnings, despite playing only 31 times.

It’s unclear what’s next for Norman, but Leishman reckons the two-time major champion will remain in the fold at LIV.

“I think he will,” Leishman added. “He’s worked really hard, really given a few years of his life. We don’t know how many years that is.

“I would hate to think how many hours he works a week and how many hours he flies. LIV has been going for two and a half years, but how long he’s been doing it before that, who knows.

“He’s sacrificed a lot. Obviously, he’s got pretty well compensated as well, but I hope he stays involved in some way. [He’s one of] a few people that it’s their baby.”

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Meanwhile, Leishman’s Ripper GC teammate Lucas Herbert, who holds the first-round lead in Melbourne, echoed those thoughts.

That’s despite the 28-year-old admitting he was unaware of discussions to replace Norman.

“We had a schedule leak in July and since then we’ve been told very, very little about what’s going on,” Herbert said.

“I would imagine that Greg will be involved with LIV for a long time. In what role, I don’t know.

“I don’t really spend my off-season sending texts around asking for gossip about whether Greg’s going to be a CEO or commissioner or whatever other role.

“He’ll be there somewhere. I just don’t know in what capacity.”

It’s reported that the announcement of a new CEO could come as early as next week.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.