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It is no secret that Rory McIlroy's stance towards LIV Golf has changed over the years. The once staunch critic of the breakaway league has called former LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman's exit from the tour a "good move".
Norman had been with LIV Golf ever since it's inception in 2022. He stood firm and defended the league even when it was bashed from every corner of the community in it's initial years. McIlroy spoke highly of his role with the Saudi-backed circuit and appreciated his efforts (via NBC):
"Greg took a lot of flak the first couple of years. He is probably one of the only guys in golf who could have taken on that role. He got it off the ground and you have to commend him for that. Now it’s time for someone with a bit more experience to take over."
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Norman handed over the CEO role to Scott O'Neil, who was an executive at the NBA and NHL for decades. Most recently, O'Neil had attended 'The Showdown' as well as TGL's debut match. McIlroy stated O'Neil's appointment was a good change for LIV Golf.
"He has an amazing track record with what he has done in sports, in terms of managing teams and groups of teams, ownership groups. He has got the right credentials to take over a sports league. I think for LIV it is probably a good move now that they are established."
The Northern Irish golfer shared these thoughts with reporters on Thursday after starting his campaign at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in UAE.
"It doesn’t look like they are going to go away anytime soon" - Rory McIlroy
The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have already been working towards a peace deal. With Scott O'Neil coming in as the CEO, it seems that the Saudi-backed league is strengthening itself.
Rory McIlroy stated that although he didn't know what LIV Golf's future looked like, he believed that the league is here to stay (via NBC).
"I honestly don’t know what the future holds for them. but the move they are making, especially from an executive standpoint, it doesn’t look like they are going to go away anytime soon."
As far as LIV Golfers' future is concerned, for now, players from the league have been allowed to play on the 2025 Ryder Cup.
