Tiger Woods has followed Rory McIlroy’s lead and called for Greg Norman to quit as LIV Golf boss, questioning the validity of the competition, according to reports at newsnow.com.
Norman is the face of the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit, which continues to be involved in a civil feud with the PGA and DP Tours. World No.1 McIlroy claimed Norman needed to walk away if relations are to improve, although suggestions LIV are looking to replace their CEO have since been dismissed.
But Woods says it is impossible for things to continue as they are, insisting: “I think Greg has to go, first of all. As Rory said, I think he has to leave and then we can eventually figure something out and talk freely.
“I think it has to start with leadership on their side, there is a lot of animosity. Understanding that what is happening right now is not the best fit for the future for the whole game of golf.
“Now, what is the best way for our game to grow? It’s not this way. But granted, you need to have the two bodies come together. If one side has so much animosity, someone trying to destroy our tour, then how do you work with that?”
LIV launched a lawsuit against the PGA after rebel players were suspended from competing in their events, while there are separate legal proceedings with the DP World Tour.
Woods, who has pulled out of the Hero World Challenge with injury, suggested LIV Golf will not succeed simply by throwing money at players and events.
“They want to be a validated tour with world ranking points and they’re buying up tours around the world and I don’t know what their end game is,” he added.
“You know, they’ve spent probably close to $2bn (£1.67m) this year. Who’s to say they can’t spend $4bn or $5bn next year? We just don’t know. It’s an endless pit of money.
“But that doesn’t necessarily create legacies either. You want to compare yourself to [Ben] Hogan, you want to compare yourself to Snead, you want to compare yourself to [Jack] Nicklaus, you can’t do that over there, but you can on this Tour.”
