'Norman exit a good move but LIV isn't going away'
Rory McIlroy was initially a vocal critic of LIV Golf but has softened his stance considerably in recent times
- Published
Dubai Desert Classic first-round leaderboard
-7 D Ford (US), R Gouveia (Por), D Micheluzzi (Aus); -6 G Migliozzi (Ita); -5 J Scrivener (Aus), M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra), C Hill (Sco), E Ferguson (Sco)
Selected others: -4 L Canter (Eng), T Clements (Eng); -3 J Rahm (Spa); -2 P Reed (US), T McKibbin (NI), R McIlroy; -1 R MacIntyre (Sco), A Scott (Aus), T Fleetwood (Eng), T Hatton (Eng)
Rory McIlroy says Greg Norman's departure from the chief executive role at LIV Golf is "probably a good move" for a Saudi-backed tour which he believes is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Veteran sports executive Scott O'Neil has been named as Norman's successor and McIlroy hailed the new LIV boss' "amazing track record" which has included being in charge of the Philadelphia 76ers NBA team.
Norman, in his LIV role, was at the centre of the split in professional men's golf which has led many of the world's top players to sign for the Saudi-funded tour.
McIlroy, initially a vocal critic of the new circuit, called for the two-time Open Champion to "exit stage left" in 2022 and let the "adults" heal the wounds in the sport.
However, the Northern Irishman has considerably softened his stance on the breakaway circuit and gave credit to Norman when asked about the moves in LIV Golf after an opening two-under-par 70 left him five off the pace as he began his bid to win a third straight Dubai Desert Classic.
"He's probably one of the only people in golf who could have taken on that role. He got it off the ground. You've got to commend him for that," said McIlroy of Norman.
"Now it's time for someone with a bit more experience in this to take over. I honestly don't know what the future holds for them but the moves they are making, especially from an executive standpoint, it doesn't look like they are going to go away any time soon."
New LIV boss has the 'credentials'
O'Neill attended last month's Showdown event in Las Vegas when McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler defeated Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka and also attended the launch of the Tomorrow's Golf League which the Northern Irishman and Tiger Woods have developed.
"He's got an amazing track record in terms of what he's done in sport, in terms of managing different teams and ownership groups.
"He's got the right credentials to take over a sports league," added McIlroy.
The PGA Tour has been involved in protracted negotiations with LIV's backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) aimed at healing the split but a resolution has yet to be reached.
The world number three was speaking after what he described as a "scrappy" opening round in Dubai.
After improving from one over par after eight to one under by the time he reached his 15th hole, McIlroy needed a superb up-and-down to rescue par at the sixth before chipping in for birdie at the next.
"They were two big moments. I could have easily slipped back to over par for the round and I ended up being two under heading to the eighth tee," added McIlroy, who started his round at the 10th.
Joined Borussia Dortmund fans in the club's famous Yellow Wall during last Friday's game against Bayer Leverkusen
En route to Dubai, McIlroy attended Borussia Dortmund's home game against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, as he fulfilled an ambition of being part of the club's famous Yellow Wall stand.
"I was right in the yellow wall. The only people that recognised me were three people from my mum's home town Lurgan.
"It was just fun. Something I've always wanted to do."
McIlroy added that the trip was part of his desire to "have more fun and have experiences I haven't had before".
"It doesn't have to be about golf all the time."
McKibbin matches McIlroy's 70
McIlroy was joined in a large group on 70 by Tom McKibbin and Padraig Harrington, with US amateur David Ford, Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia and Australia's David Micheluzzi, who occupy 405th and 225th spots in the world rankings, leading after rounds of 65.
McKibbin's next competitive appearance is expected to be the first event of this year's LIV circuit in Riyadh with the 22-year-old Northern Irishman being strongly linked with a switch to the Saudi-backed tour.
McIlroy, who has been something of a mentor to McKibbin, said on Wednesday that he would be "personally a little bit disappointed" if the 2023 European Open champion does indeed commit to LIV Golf while adding that he was entitled "to make his own decisions".
McKibbin, who also started at the 10th, was only three off the lead after 14 holes following four birdies but a double bogey six at the sixth halted his momentum.
Spain's two-time major winner Jon Rahm, who is making his debut in the event, carded a 69.
Scottish duo Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson are five-under with England's Laurie Canter and Todd Clements in the group a shot back.