Rory McIlroy put past differences with Greg Norman aside to say the Australian deserved to be commended for helping launch LIV Golf after the two-time major winner’s departure from the chief executive role at the Saudi-funded breakaway tour was confirmed.

American Scott O’Neil has been appointed as the new chief executive of LIV Golf, taking over day-to-day management of the Saudi-funded breakaway from Norman, who will remain involved with the tour.

Norman was a divisive figure in golf’s ongoing civil war, with both McIlroy and Tiger Woods previously calling for him to quit.

McIlroy said in November 2022 that Norman should “exit stage left” to allow the “adults” to negotiate a deal between golf’s warring factions.

But more than two years on from those comments, and with his stance towards LIV having significantly softened over the past 12 months, McIlroy had warmer words for Norman although still backed the timing of the change of leader.

“Greg took a lot of flak in the first couple of years,” McIlroy was quoted as saying by the Guardian after his opening round on Thursday at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which is live on Sky Sports Golf this week.

“He’s probably one of the only people in golf that could have taken on that role. So he got it off the ground and you’ve got 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 moves they’re making, especially from an executive standpoint, it doesn’t look like they’re going to go away anytime soon.”

O’Neil has sports and entertainment management roles, including being CEO of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and most recently heading up theme park operator Merlin Entertainments.

“Scott was at our showdown match in Vegas [where McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler for the PGA Tour beat LIV duo Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau] and so was Greg,” McIlroy added.

“”Scott was at the first night of TGL too. He has got an amazing track record in terms of what he’s done in sport, in terms of managing different teams and groups of teams, ownership groups.”

“He’s got the right credentials to take over a sports league. For LIV it’s probably a good move now that they’re established.”

Announcing O’Neil’s appointment on Wednesday, LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan said: “On behalf of the board of directors, we welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing he will capitalise on everything that has been accomplished over the past three years.

“When we launched LIV Golf, there was no one that made more sense to lead the organisation other than Greg Norman.

“I thank him for everything he has done to establish, launch and grow our league. He has been instrumental to LIV’s success.”

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Sky Sports will have extended coverage from all four rounds of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with Featured Groups live from 4am each morning on Sky Sports Golf and bringing bonus action ahead of the main action.

Full coverage starts at 7.30am on Thursday and Friday ahead of getting under way from 7am over the weekend, with all four rounds of the PGA Tour’s American Express and the Latin America Amateur Championship also live on Sky Sports. Stream the DP World Tour, majors and more with NOW.