World number one Rory McIlroy said LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman must step down from his position immediately as golf's tours need an "adult in the room" to help end the stalemate in their feud.
Greg Norman Photo: PHOTOSPORT
LIV Golf has lured away some of the U.S.-based PGA Tour's top players with huge sums of money, leading to a simmering feud within the sport. The players competing in the breakaway series have been suspended from the PGA Tour.
"There's a few things that I would like to see on the LIV side that needs to happen," McIlroy said prior to this week's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. "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 sort of say, 'Look, you've got this thing off the ground, but no one is going to talk unless there's an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences.'"
LIV has filed a lawsuit accusing the PGA Tour of antitrust violations. The PGA Tour has filed a counterclaim.
Attempts by Europe's DP World Tour to suspend players have been unsuccessful with LIV golfers still eligible to compete at its showcase events pending a court hearing next year.
Speaking before the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, McIlroy said that "nothing will happen" as long as the lawsuits were ongoing.
"You're limited in what you can do. I think from whatever happens with those two things, there's a few things I'd like to see on the LIV side that needs to happen," McIlroy said.
"Greg needs to go. He needs to exit stage left. He's made his mark but now is the right time to say, look, you've got this thing off the ground but no one is going to talk unless there's an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences.
Rory McIlroy Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"If those two things happen, then things can happen. But right now, it's a stalemate because there can't be any other way. Hopefully, something can happen, who knows."
Australian Norman, a former world number one, said in September that he was no longer prepared to negotiate with the PGA Tour.
Critics say LIV Golf, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, amounts to "sportswashing" by a nation trying to improve its reputation in the face of criticism over its human rights record.
Taco Bell CEO Mark King, previously an executive for Adidas and TaylorMade, was reportedly the target of the LIV as a replacement for Norman. But that report was denied by Majed Al Sorour, CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation.
"Any suggestion that changes are being made to Greg's title or role is patently false," he said.
King was in attendance at multiple LIV events in its inaugural season but serves no active role with the tour.
-Reuters