For the golf world, the merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is a long-due update. The timeline set for the merger was June 2023, but somehow it is still in talks. However, both leagues, being separate entities, have worked towards building a greater presence in the game. The PGA Tour shared about its latest venture – PGA Studios. While LIV Golf has also worked on enhancing fan’s experience.

Starting the 2025 season, LIV Golf has shared a great worry for the competitor leagues, with the latest development shared about the TV broadcaster deal with Fox Sports. The deal was finalized on January 16th, a few weeks after Greg Norman stepped down from the CEO position.

Following on to the deal and development in LIV Golf, Jon Rahm was asked to share his thoughts during the press conference of Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The event features some of the top names from both LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. Sharing about the new CEO, Scott O’Neil, he shared how the duo has spent a week for commercial photo shoots. Even though Norman and Rahm had a great bond together, as he pointed out, “Greg has treated me great.”

According to him, O’Neil could be a great option replacing Greg Norman, “I think having somebody like Scott who is a little bit outside the world of golf but very much in the world of sport I think makes him kind of a perfect match for that,” he said.

Other than this, he even pointed out Norman’s situation in LIV Golf, which hampered the decision-making. Speaking of which, he shared, “I think, unfortunately, there’s been a little bit, possibly a little too much bad blood between Greg and maybe the governing bodies, and to have somebody outside of that might help the situation.” Additionally, praising the new CEO, he expressed his experience from the NBA would help with the vision for LIV.

Rahm expects the league to benefit from Greg Norman’s replacement, as he said, “I think he’s going to be a very positive impact for LIV, and FOX, obviously, as well.” With the many positives for the Saudi-backed league and Norman being replaced by O’Neil. Golfers who wished for a replacement for the rapid progress of the merger seem to get back on track.

Other golfer’s opinions on the merger and Greg Norman

As Jon Rahm pointed out about Greg Norman being in “bad blood,” many other golfers have pointed in the same direction earlier. The top name who is involved in the merger talks, Tiger Woods, has followed Rory McIlroy’s statement to replace Norman for a smoother merger.

Earlier, towards the end of last year, McIlroy said, “I think Greg needs to go. 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.”

Following the statement of McIlroy, Woods also joined in and said, “I think Greg has to go, first of all.” He even added, “And then obviously litigation against us and then our countersuit against them, those would then have to be at a stay as well. So then we can talk, we can all talk freely.”

Now that the new CEO is appointed, the vision of McIlroy which he shared after the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship seems to get a closure soon. He said, “I think we’ll know a lot more by year’s end. We’re in October, so hopefully [there’s] three months to get something done.” Not only him, but many golfers and even fans want unification in golf.

Moving in the right direction according to the fans, critics, and even players. Can 2025 showcase some advancement to the deal? What are your thoughts on this? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.