Rick Shiels admits what has really surprised him about the reaction to him joining LIV Golf

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Rick Shiels created history with his move to LIV Golf, representing its first official collaboration with a major content creator.

Shiels welcomed Tom McKibbin to LIV Golf, with the latter having made the switch from the PGA Tour for the 2025 season.

Northern Ireland youngster McKibbin finished T15 on his LIV Golf debut in Riyadh, with his Legion XIII side having won the team title.

The season now continues with LIV Golf Adelaide, with Cleeks GC player Adrian Meronk emerging victorious in last week’s opener.

Shiels will be working closely with the players in his new role as ambassador, offering fans inside access to LIV Golf.

Rick Shiels caught by surprise after signing LIV Golf partnership

Having announced the strategic partnership last month, Shiels has now shared the reaction to his move to LIV Golf.

Discussing criticism of the decision, he said on Tee It Up Golf: “It was expected. We knew it would happen, as soon as you mention the word LIV it has to come with a tidal wave of negativity.

“Australia love LIV, right? But UK and US audience aren’t fully invested yet. I think they will be. We expected a bit of backlash but I think maybe what I didn’t expect as much was people thinking I was so anti-LIV.

READ MORE: Peter Finch admits what he found ‘odd’ after Rick Shiels announced he’d signed for LIV as he gives his ‘honest’ reaction

“I would say over the time, and it was a big talking point, it was easy to shoot at at first. It was like I could take pops at this and it’s fairly easy to take pops at something so early but year on year it has got better.

“And year on year when I have been to events, the events are unbelievable. They are sensational. Kind of year on year I have grown to like it and now I’m here I am loving it.

“So I think that caught me by surprise. I think maybe my own sentiment on LIV was a bit more neutral whereas I feel like some people might have twisted that to being more negative, which that is not particularly the case.

“It was more constructive criticism. I want golf to do well. I want all golf in any league or tour to succeed. So giving constructive feedback on a product is hopefully helping it develop and get better.”

Rick Shiels delighted with flipped reaction to LIV Golf move

LIV Golf continues to divide opinion, and continues to go its separate way from the PGA Tour despite ongoing discussions to bring the two closer together.

A reunification remains up in the air, with many high-profile players having backed one or the other in recent times.

READ MORE: Phil Mickelson caused ‘sudden’ change on the PGA Tour in 2022 when numerous top players were ready to play on LIV

The consensus is seemingly that of Shiels’ opinion, in that most players and indeed fans simply want what is best for golf.

Providing further insight into the reaction to his move to the Saudi-backed tour, the YouTuber noted: “But what has been fascinating in that timeframe since releasing the announcement video, which definitely had a slight tidal wave of negativity, to actually releasing the content, it has flipped 180.

“The comments are unbelievable. So positive. The comments are so good. So I think people are kind of grasping it.

“This isn’t me shoving LIV down your neck, it’s me having the opportunity to film with great players and greater venues. Granted it’s LIV venues and LIV players, but that’s it. I am just showcasing what that looks like.”