Imago
Image Courtesy: IMAGO
Imago
Image Courtesy: IMAGO
The rivalry between PGA Tour and LIV Golf has been one to watch for golf fans. The two separate golf bodies have divided many players and caused a heated debate. A prime example of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf debate is the on-and-off interaction between the Tour loyalist, Rory McIlroy and the Saudi league’s CEO, Greg Norman. Interestingly, by the looks of it, it seems that the Irish golfer has had a change of heart!
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The Northern Irishman has time and again taken shots at LIV Golf, unapologetically. However, Norman has returned the favor in equal proportions. With their recent exchange moving towards a debacle, let’s look at the times both of them exchanges some heated comments.
Rory McIlroy pledged to be a pain in Greg Norman’s a** after being called brainwashed
Since the inception of LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy and Greg Norman have been exchanging blows. The Irish golfer is a true PGA Tour supporter and he once said that what he dislikes about the Saudi-funded league so much that it has fractured the sport. “I hate that LIV fractured the game so much. That’s the thing for me that really pissed me off,” said McIlroy. The 34-year-old wished he could compete with players like Brooks Koepka, Cam Smith, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau.
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Golf – European Tour – BMW PGA Championship – Wentworth Golf Club, Virginia Water, Britain – September 7, 2022 Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy during the Pro-Am Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
In November 2022, McIlroy told the media that Norman needed to leave the leadership of LIV Golf, to save the golf world. He also pointed out that Norman was incapable of running the Saudi-league alone, and needed a team with him. While McIlroy continuously took shots at Greg Norman, the latter did not forget to clap back.
To the comments about Norman leaving LIV, he said, “Rory doesn’t know anything, right? All due respect, Rory. He doesn’t know anything about LIV.” In return, he questioned McIlroy’s role in the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council. The exchange between the two went on for a long period.
The LIV Golf CEO even went on to accuse the Irish golfer of being “brainwashed” by golf’s ruling brass. The PGAT pro was frustrated with Norman’s brainwashed remarks, and kind of made it his mission to be “much of a pain in his [Greg Norman] a** as possible.”
This exchange of comments between the two golf stars has raged on till now. But recently Rory McIlroy started to show subtle support for LIV Golf, for which he was blasted on the internet.
Rory McIlroy changed his ‘judgemental’ stance on LIV?
Recently, Rory McIlroy spoke on the Stick To Football Podcast about how his feelings on LIV Golf and the golf landscape have changed. The golfer hinted at how he feels that fighting the changes is not a part of his job description. He shared that he was “judgmental” about players joining the Saudi-backed league was a mistake, one which he regrets.
Furthermore, the Irish golfer shared that he feels that other golfers did not have the same opportunities he and Tiger Woods had, leading them to go over to LIV Golf. But he wished the professional golf scene became more about the sport rather than being about money.
However, the 34-year-old has yet not apologized to Greg Norman about his past comments. Will he ever do that? That is yet to be seen! What do you think of McIlroy’s and Norman’s unapologetic war of words? Let us know in the comments below.
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Written by
Edited by
Riya Singhal