Rory McIlroy says Greg Norman's resignation as LIV Golf chief executive “might be a good move”, while Jon Rahm believes This gives the Saudi-backed league a “less threatening image”.
LIV is appointing sporting director Scott O'Neil as chief executive, effectively ending the defunct war of words between Norman and McIlroy who helped get the league off the ground.
McIlroy was one of LIV's most vocal early critics, praising O'Neal's resume.
“[O’Neil] McIlroy said at the Dubai Desert Classic that he has an amazing track record in the sports world with management teams, teams, ownership groups. I think it's probably a good move for LIV now that they're established.
O'Neal has served as CEO of the parent company of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, president of Madison Square Garden, and CEO of amusement park and resort company Merlin Entertainments.
He was officially confirmed as the new CEO on Wednesday, with LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan saying in a statement that O'Neill “has the passion, tenacity and vision to continue to build on LIV Golf's position as the preeminent global sport” and Entertainment Company and lead our incredible team and players for years to come.
Norman, the 1986 and 1983 British Open champion, would continue to play an ambiguous role in the league, often creating a divisive impression when LIV entered the golf world. He said McIlroy was “brainwashed” by the PGA Tour in 2022 to make Norman the four-time major champion's target.
McIlroy blamed golf's “civil war” on him and said later that year that he should “step off the stage” and let “adults” heal the sport's divisions.
The Northern Irishman commented on Norman in a more conciliatory manner in Dubai.
“Greg took a lot of criticism the first few years,” McIlroy said. “He's probably one of the only guys in golf who can take on this role. He's been successful and you have to give him credit for that. Now it's time for someone with more experience to take over.
“Honestly, I don't know what the future holds [LIV]but the moves they're making, especially from an executive perspective, don't look like they're going away anytime soon.
Rahm, who joined LIV in September 2023, also believes that the CEO change is a step in the right direction for leaving the track.
The Spanish golfer believes it will help improve LIV's position in talks over an investment deal with rival PGA Tour, which have made little apparent progress in talks over a “framework agreement”.
“Unfortunately, there was a little – maybe a little too much – bad blood between Greg and the governing body,” Lahm said. “There's someone out there who might be able to help with this.
“I think having an outsider – and I say outsider because he's not involved in it – when he's sitting down with the rest of the governing body is probably a very good thing.
“I think an outside perspective, and maybe a less threatening image, might also be helpful.”
In 2025, there is less animosity between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour than when LIV was founded.
McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler defeated LIV members Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in an exhibition match in December, the latest from two of the sport's leading players. The first exhibition match of its kind for a physical entity.
McIlroy said O'Neal played in that tournament and the first event earlier this month of TGL, the new simulated golf series founded by McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
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