by There was a time, not so long ago, when Rory McIlroy’s praise of Greg Norman was as realistic a concept as the Open Championship taking place on the moon. In the latest sign of golf’s thawing relationships, McIlroy used the aftermath of his opening round at the Dubai Desert Classic to pay tribute to the outgoing LIV chief executive.
After spearheading LIV’s golf disruption plan, Norman was replaced by Scott O’Neill. “We have changed the game forever,” the Australian said in a statement on Wednesday confirming his retirement. “I began this journey more than 30 years ago knowing in my heart and mind that golf and its professional players were undervalued and providing a product that was stagnating.”
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McIlroy wasn’t shy about criticizing Norman during golf’s civil war, once declaring that the chief executive had done a “disservice” to LIV’s supporters at the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. But as Norman rides off into the sunset, McIlroy offers a more positive outlook for LIV. O’Neill’s previous positions included CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils.
“Scott was at our showdown match in Vegas [where McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler faced Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau] and Greg too,” McIlroy said. “Scott was also there for the first night of TGL. He has an amazing track record in terms of his sporting achievements, in terms of leading various teams, team groups and ownership groups. He has the right skills to take over a sports league. So I think it’s probably a good move for LIV now that they’re established.
“I think Greg obviously took a lot of criticism in the first few years. He is probably one of the few people in golf who could have taken on this role. So he got it started and he should be commended for it. Now it’s time for someone with a little more experience to take over.
“I honestly don’t know what the future holds for them, but the steps they’re taking, particularly from an executive perspective, don’t suggest they’re going away any time soon.”
McIlroy considered his two-under-par 70 at the Emirates Club “poor” as he aims for a third consecutive Desert Classic. David Micheluzzi and Ricardo Gouveia set the pace with matching 65s. McIlroy stopped in Dortmund on his way to the Middle East and watched the clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Friday evening in the middle of the famous yellow wall of the Westfalenstadion.
“It doesn’t always have to be about golf,” McIlroy added. “That’s one of my favorite things to do, just go to different sporting events. I’ve been lucky enough to visit many of them over the years, but there are still many things I’d like to cross off the list. Whenever I have the opportunity, I think I’ll be more willing to do those things now.”
Tom McKibbin, who moves to LIV for the 2025 season, matched McIlroy’s result in the first round. Tommy Fleetwood signed for a 71, as did Tyrrell Hatton. Viktor Hovland fought his way to a 75.
