Rory Mcilroy begins his Dubai Desert Classic campaign with a modest 70, offering rare praise for Greg Norman while welcoming Scott O’Neill as the new LIV chief executive
Rory McIlroy kicked off his Dubai Desert Classic defence with what he described as a “scrappy” round of two-under-par 70. Yet, it wasn’t just his game that caught attention—it was his unexpected words of praise for outgoing LIV CEO Greg Norman.
Norman, who spearheaded the controversial LIV Golf initiative, announced his departure, making way for Scott O’Neill, a seasoned sports executive. Reflecting on Norman’s tenure, McIlroy said, “Greg took a lot of flak, but he’s probably one of the only people in golf who could’ve launched this project. You’ve got to commend him for that. Now, they’re bringing in someone with more experience to take the league forward.”
O’Neill’s impressive résumé includes leading Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. McIlroy believes this leadership change signals LIV’s intent to cement its position in golf’s competitive landscape. “The moves they’re making, especially from an executive standpoint, suggest they’re not going anywhere,” he noted.
Embed from Getty ImagesMcIlroy, chasing his third consecutive title in Dubai, remains a focal point of the event. Early leaders David Micheluzzi and Ricardo Gouveia set the pace with five-under-par 65s, while McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton delivered more modest performances. Viktor Hovland struggled to a disappointing 75.
Beyond the course, McIlroy shared his enthusiasm for immersing himself in other sports, revealing he stopped off in Dortmund to experience the famous “Yellow Wall” during Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Bayer Leverkusen. “It doesn’t have to be about golf all the time,” he said. “I love exploring other sports, and I’ll be making more time for that in the future.”
McIlroy’s blend of candour and competitive focus ensures his presence remains a compelling narrative, even as golf’s fractured ecosystem continues to evolve.
