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Rory McIlroy has praised Greg Norman for his role in getting LIV Golf “off the ground” after his exit as the league’s chief executive was confirmed. 

Norman’s reign as LIV boss officially ended last night, with Scott O’Neil confirmed as the two-time Open champion’s successor.

The Australian will remain involved in LIV, but will hand operations over to O’Neil, a former NBA and NHL executive with vast experience across sports and entertainment.

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“I saw Scott was confirmed,” McIlroy told reporters here at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. “Scott was at our Showdown match in Vegas and obviously Greg was as well. Then Scott was at the first night of TGL.

“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 they are established.”

Norman became a divisive figure in golf’s civil war as the firebrand of the Saudi-backed breakaway league and his departure from a senior leadership position is a significant development.

Back in November 2022, McIlroy told Norman to “exit stage left” to allow the “adults” to solve the fracture between the PGA and LIV, which still remains unresolved.

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But after beginning his title defence with a two-under 70 here at the Emirates Club, McIlroy had kinder words for the departing Norman.

“Greg took a lot of flack the first couple of years,” McIlroy added. 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.

“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.”

The outgoing Norman was certainly bullish about LIV’s future.

“With LIV Golf, we changed the game forever,” he said in his leaving statement.

“None of this would have been possible without the vision and leadership of LIV’s chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. He always knew what was possible and he never wavered from his belief that golf and the business of golf could be more than it was in the past.

“I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished or more pleased with where the league stands today. I’m excited to pass the baton of day-to-day management and continue to help do what I can to grow LIV Golf.”


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Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.

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