Greg Norman Responds to Rory McIlroy’s Change of Heart on LIV

Greg Norman has responded to Rory McIlroy’s changed opinions on LIV Golf in a new interview with the LIV Golf Podcast.

McIlroy shocked the golf world yesterday with an interview where he revealed a near 180-degree flip in terms of his opinions on LIV Golf.

In short, McIlroy was more than willing to admit that his sentiments regarding players and the league itself may have been short-sided:

“I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position. We all turn professional to make a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that’s what I realised over the last two years. I can’t judge people for making that decision, so if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgmental at the start.”

Rory McIlroy Flips The Script and Says Positive Things About LIV Golf

The quick change encapsulates what many of us have been thirsting for for the past two years as golf fans. All we've wanted is for everyone to get along, for players to make amends, and to see the world's best players get together and play on a weekly basis.

Since LIV's creation, we are lucky if we get that four times a year at the Majors. With what seems like an impending truce on deck, maybe we're a little bit closer to seeing incredible competition once again.

Greg Norman on Rory McIlroy’s comments about LIV Golf:

“Happy New Year golf! That’s my reaction. I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m very appreciative of what Rory said. It’s been a painful couple of years. What we have done is be consistent, our narrative has been consistent,…

— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) January 4, 2024

Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf, has plenty of things to say about McIlroy's newfound feelings. Initially, he has one simple thing:

"Happy New Year, Golf. That's my reaction."

It's no secret that McIlroy and Norman probably have felt some hostility toward one another based on Rory's comments and very vocal disdain for LIV over the past two years. Nevertheless, it seems that differences are being set aside, and for good reason.

Norman said the following:

"I’m very appreciative of what Rory said. It’s been a painful couple of years. What we have done is been consistent. Our narrative has been consistent. Our delivering mechanism has been consistent. The reason I say I appreciate Rory to fall on his sword to some degree is the fact that he did judge us by not knowing the facts. He judged us on other people’s thoughts and opinions."

Norman then went on to thank McIlroy for his change of tune:

"We all knew it was going to work within the golf ecosystem. We all want to be there, we are going to be there – he said that. To me, this is a significant turning point for everybody.”

Perhaps this is what the golf world needed. As the merger deadline has been extended to the second week in April, the same as The Masters, one thing is evident: golf may be closer to a truce than ever before.

Cover Image via Daily Express