LIV Golf announced Scott O’Neil as its new CEO last Wednesday, succeeding Greg Norman, and the league on Thursday confirmed a multiyear deal with Fox Sports to televise its tournaments.
O’Neil, 54, is a longtime sports executive who has held high-level management roles with multiple NBA, NFL and NHL franchises and properties such as Madison Square Garden.
Norman, a two-time major champion who served as the league’s first CEO and commissioner, will hand off day-to-day management but remain involved, according to the announcement. O’Neil told Sports Illustrated that Norman would “have some role” going forward but there would no longer be an LIV Golf commissioner. O’Neil added that Norman had been “nothing but supportive” during the leadership transition.
Commenting on the change in advance of last week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy called O’Neil’s appointment “a good move” and complimented Norman, with whom he sparred in the media following the league’s 2022 launch.
“Greg took a lot of flak the first couple of years,” McIlroy said. “He is probably one of the only guys in golf who could have taken on that role. He got it off the ground, and you have to commend him for that. Now it’s time for someone with a bit more experience to take over.”
Under the terms of the TV deal with Fox, more than half of the league’s 14 events will air live on either Fox or FS1, while select rounds will be broadcast on FS2, Fox Business Network or the Fox Sports App. READ MORE
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Augusta National Golf Club has recovered nicely from damage sustained during Hurricane Helene in September, according to club chairman Fred Ridley.
“As far as the impact, the long‑term impact, we have not quite as many trees as we did a year ago,” said Ridley, speaking last Thursday from the Latin America Amateur Championship in Argentina. “As far as the golf course goes, it’s in spectacular condition. I think we had minor damage to the course, the playing surfaces themselves, but we were able to get that back in shape, but I don’t think you’re going to see any difference in the condition for the Masters this year.”
Ridley also expressed pride in Augusta National’s support of hurricane relief efforts, which included a joint $5 million donation in partnership with the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area. READ MORE
As expected, the PGA Tour will move next month’s Genesis Invitational from Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, to an alternate location amid the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles and its surroundings.
“The PGA Tour’s focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles,” the tour said in a statement. “We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.
“In collaboration with Genesis, the Riviera Country Club and TGR Live, and out of respect for the unfolding situation, we have determined that the 2025 Genesis Invitational will be played at an alternate location the week of February 10-16. A venue update and additional tournament information will be provided in the coming days.” READ MORE
McILROY TO McKIBBIN: DON'T JUMP TO LIV
In the wake of reports that Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is weighing a $5 million offer to join LIV Golf instead of taking up the PGA Tour card he earned for 2025, Rory McIlroy revealed that he had advised his countryman and protege against accepting the offer.
“I really like Tom as a person, as a player,” McIlroy said in Dubai. “I think he’s got a ton of potential. Look, I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you’re thinking of making. … I think what he potentially is sacrificing and giving up, with access to majors, potential Ryder Cup spot, depending on, you know, how he would play ... if I were in his position and I had his potential, which I think I have been before, I wouldn’t make that decision.” READ MORE
World No. 2 Xander Schauffele will not play this week in his hometown PGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Schauffele, who withdrew from last week’s American Express tournament citing an unspecified medical reason, will also not be part of the lineup for the New York Golf Club team in its TGL match against Atlanta Drive Golf Club on Tuesday. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
TGL’s second match on ESPN last Tuesday night, which featured Tiger Woods, drew a million viewers, up 9 percent from the indoor golf league’s debut match the previous week, according to Front Office Sports. READ MORE
Paul Azinger has joined the PGA Tour Champions broadcast team as an analyst, succeeding Lanny Wadkins. READ MORE
Steven Alker earned the Jack Nicklaus Award as PGA Tour Champions 2024 player of the year, while Ricardo Gonzalez earned the 2024 Hale Irwin rookie-of-the-year honor. READ MORE
The 2025 Hanwha LifePlus International Crown will feature a World Team that will include players who would not otherwise qualify for the competition via country selection. The World Team will compete alongside teams representing seven countries in the October 23-26 event in South Korea. READ MORE
The LPGA has formed an eight-member search committee and hired an executive search firm to identify its next commissioner, the tour announced Friday. Mollie Marcoux Samaan stepped down as commissioner on Jan. 9. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
