LIV Golf dealt huge blow as COO quits after just one year

As LIV Golf prepares for a crucial 2023 season, one boasting extra events, new venues, and of course, more money, the breakaway series has been dealt a huge blow with one of their top executives resigning from his role.

Unfortunately for critics of the series, that man won’t be CEO Greg Norman (for now). Instead, it will be chief operating officer Atul Khosla, a key figure in the operation who many claim has been the voice of reason among the chaos.

According to a report from the New York Times – a story which has been confirmed by Norman himself – Khosla resigned from his role following the conclusion of LIV’s inaugural year, opting to “move on” as the Saudi-backed series builds towards its revamped second season.

“At the conclusion of LIV’s successful inaugural season, Atul Khosla decided to move on,” Norman said in a statement. “We respect AK and his personal decision.”

Khosla’s resignation comes just one year after he was appointed in the role, with the veteran sports executive having previously served as chief corporate developer for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Within that 12 months, Kholsa was regarded as the business brain behind LIV’s operation, tackling the project from a commercial mindset rather than the more disruptive, chaotic approach adopted by Norman.

This is a huge blow for LIV. I spent a couple of hours with Atul back in May. He’s an extremely switched-on and engaging person. Norman was the figurehead, the self-proclaimed ‘disruptor’, but Khosla was the brains of the operation and the voice of reason. https://t.co/oGShC9PniZ
— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) December 16, 2022

LIV Golf are yet to comment on Kholsa’s departure, while the report from the New York Times did not mention why the former chief operating officer has left the post.

The news comes just one month after reports claimed Norman himself was set to be “moved upstairs” by LIV’s bosses. The report was later debunked by managing director Majed Al Sorour, which was followed up by calls from Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods for the controversial Aussie to step down as CEO.

The breakaway league will begin its revamped 14-event season in February, with seven courses still yet to be announced ahead of 2023.