Rory McIlroy makes ‘scrappy’ start in Dubai and changes tune on Norman
Rory McIlroy makes ‘scrappy’ start in Dubai and changes tune on Norman
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There was a time in the not-so distant past when Rory McIlroy praise for Greg Norman felt as realistic a concept as the Open Championship taking place on the moon. In the latest sign of golf’s thawing relations, McIlroy used the aftermath of his opening round at the Dubai Desert Classic to give credit to the outgoing LIV chief executive.
After fronting LIV’s disruption plan for golf, Norman has been replaced by Scott O’Neill. “We changed the game forever,” said the Australian in a statement confirming he was stepping down on Wednesday. “I started this journey more than 30 years ago, knowing in my heart and mind that the game of golf and its professional players were undervalued, delivering a product that felt stagnant.”.
McIlroy has not been shy to criticise Norman during golf’s civil war, stating at one point that LIV’s backers at the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund had been done a “disservice” by the chief executive. Yet as Norman rides off into the sunset, McIlroy offered a more positive outlook for LIV. O’Neill’s previous roles include chief executive of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, who own the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils.
“Scott was at our showdown match in Vegas [where McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler faced Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau] and so was Greg,” McIlroy said. “Scott was at the first night of TGL too. He has got an amazing track record in terms of what he’s done in sport, in terms of managing different teams and groups of teams, ownership groups. He’s got the right credentials to take over a sports league. So I think for LIV it’s probably a good move now that they’re established.
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