Report: Rory McIlroy's LIV Golf wish may come true after all

Rory McIlroy's wish that Greg Norman be replaced as LIV Golf commissioner may come true after all. 

That's because Sports Business Journal have reported the Saudi-backed rival league are looking around for a replacement. 

Two-time Open champion Norman would be moved into a more 'senior role', according to the report. 

It is claimed that the search to replace Norman has been ongoing for several months and is being spearheaded by London-based recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson. 

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• Rory McIlroy splashed in LIV Golf poster

The report stated: 

"Though handled quietly, the search firm has looked to well-regarded executives in sports business for the position, with names including Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark among those targeted early on, according to sources. Talks with Yormark did not progress, but it shows the level of executive PIF has been targeting."

Read the full report here. 

This is not the first time there have been unsubstantiated reports that LIV want to move Norman into a different role or get rid of him altogether.

In November 2022, it was suggested that former TaylorMade supremo Mark King was being lined-up to take over the reins. 

What did Rory McIlroy say?

McIlroy called for Norman to leave his position at LIV Golf in November 2022. 

He implored the Australian to leave so that the 'adults' in the room could hold peace talks to end the unprecedented disruption at the top of the men's game. 

From February 2022 onwards, McIlroy was involved in a bitter war of words with Norman. 

The duo traded blows on several occasions. 

McIlroy twisted the knife when he surpassed Norman's record of 20 PGA Tour wins. 

Norman accused McIlroy of being a puppet for the PGA Tour who was being 'brainwashed'. 

"I think Greg needs to go," McIlroy previously said.  

"I think he just needs to exit stage left.

"He's made his mark but I think now is the right time to say you've got this thing off the ground but no one's going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences."

Seven months after McIlroy made those comments the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV's backers, the Saudi PIF, entered into a framework agreement. 

No deal has yet come to pass but McIlroy recently claimed at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship that officials at the top of each tour want lightning to strike. 

But scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice as well as players' own motives could prevent an agreement being made, he said. 

LIV Golf concluded their third season in September.

Jon Rahm was crowned the individual champion and Cameron Smith's Ripper won the team honours. 

Just this week Rahm has teased the possibility that a high-profile PGA Tour player could join his Legion XIII side. 

Read more about that here. 

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