Golf

Rory McIlroy makes ‘scrappy’ start in Dubai and changes tune on Greg Norman

McIlroy has been impressed by new LIV chief executive Scott O’Neill’s track record in sports administration

Rory McIlroy on the ninth green, his final hole, during his first round on day one of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy on the ninth green, his final hole, during his first round on day one of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Ewan Murray in Dubai
Thu Jan 16 2025 - 12:49

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After fronting LIV’s disruption plan for golf, Norman has been replaced by Scott O’Neill.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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“I think Greg took obviously a lot of flak in the first couple of years. He’s probably one of the only people in golf that could have taken on that role. So he got it off the ground and you’ve got to commend him for that. Now it’s time for someone with a bit more experience to take over.

“I honestly don’t know what the future holds for them, but the moves that they’re making, especially from an executive standpoint, it doesn’t look like they’re going to go away anytime soon.”

McIlroy regarded his two-under-par 70 at the Emirates Club a “scrappy” one as he pursues a third Desert Classic in succession. David Micheluzzi and Ricardo Gouveia set the early pace with matching 65s. McIlroy had stopped off in Dortmund when en route to the Middle East, taking in their meeting with Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night in the midst of the Westfalenstadion’s famous yellow wall.

“It doesn’t have to be about golf all the time,” McIlroy added. “That’s one of my favourite things to do, just to go to different sporting events. I’ve been lucky enough to go to a lot of them over the years but there’s still a lot of things that I’d like to take off the list. Whenever I have the opportunity to do it, I think I’m going to be more willing now to do those things.”

Tom McKibbin, who is set to join LIV for their 2025 season, matched McIlroy’s round one score, as did Pádraig Harrington. Tommy Fleetwood signed for a 71, as did Tyrrell Hatton. Viktor Hovland struggled to a 75. – Guardian