LIV Golf has named Scott O’Neil its new CEO, replacing Australia’s Greg Norman as the head of the breakaway competition.

Norman will hand off day-to-day duties to O’Neil but remain with the series.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing he will capitalise on everything that has been accomplished over the past three years,” LIV Golf Board Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan said.

“Scott has the passion, the tenacity, and the vision to continue leveraging LIV Golf’s position as a pre-eminent, global sports and entertainment company and to lead our amazing teams and players for years to come.”

O’Neil was most recently chief executive of Merlin Entertainments Group, which operates amusement parks and resorts. Merlin announced in November that O’Neil was leaving for “another opportunity”.

O’Neil became CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013. As CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, he oversaw the Sixers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

He has also been president of Madison Square Garden and worked for the NBA.

O’Neil comes aboard amid ongoing negotiations for an alliance between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

Norman, 69, told Sports Illustrated in October that his contract was scheduled to end in August 2025.

He helped to launch the breakaway golf circuit, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, in October 2021.

“When we launched LIV Golf, there was no one that made more sense to lead the organisation other than Greg Norman,” Al-Rumayyan said.

“I thank him for everything he has done to establish, launch and grow our league. He has been instrumental to LIV’s success.

Under Norman’s watch, LIV Golf completed its third season in 2024.

Massive prize pools and nine-figure contracts have lured superstars like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith away from the PGA Tour.

“First and foremost, congratulations to Scott,” Norman said.

“He is exactly the type of experienced professional who understands the unique and powerful combination of entertainment and sports that LIV Golf exemplifies.

“The league will be in very good hands with him at the helm.”