LIV Golf has lost a second senior member of staff in as many months ©Getty Images

LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed golf organisation attempting to compete with the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), has lost a second senior member of management in as many months, with director of franchises Matt Goodman departing after less than a year.

Sports Business Journal reported Goodman left his position after just eight months, joining the company in May.

Just weeks ago, chief of operations Atul Khosla resigned from his position after just one season.

Goodman played a part in developing the concept of the 12 four-man teams for the LIV Golf Tour.

The organisation's chief executive Greg Norman has been called to resign by critics including PGA Tour members Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and United States' Tiger Woods.

McIlroy said that he should "exit stage left", adding that "no one is going to talk unless there's an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences".

Despite Khosla's exit, Norman - who won two Majors and 88 professional tournaments in total - remained defiant about leaving the company.

Greg Norman says he remains positive despite Atul Khosla's departure ©Getty Images
Greg Norman says he remains positive despite Atul Khosla's departure ©Getty Images

"I'm totally confident, totally proud and totally committed to this job and that is building out LIV Golf in perpetuity and giving players and fans another kind of golf to enjoy," said Norman.

The new LIV Golf season is set to start on February 24 in Mexico, but the season calendar of 14 events has still not been published. 

A television deal has still not been agreed.

In September, American golfer Phil Mickelson was one of four golfers to withdraw their names from an anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour, which now consists of 11 names.

Fellow Americans Talor Gooch and Hudson Swafford and Englishman Ian Poulter also requested their names be removed.

This trial is not expected until January 2024.

"The only reason for me to stay in is damages, which I don't really want or need anything," Mickelson told Sports Illustrated.

"I do think it's important that the players have the right to play when and where they want, when and where they qualify for.

"And now that LIV is a part of it, that will be accomplished if and when they win."