As we sit now in 2025, it’s safe to say that Greg Norman and Rory McIlroy aren’t the two best of friends on the world golf circuit.
McIlroy and Norman have enjoyed a bit of back and forth ever since the emergence of LIV Golf and at times, it’s looked like there’s been some bitterness in the comments as well.
Of course, Norman has spoken of McIlroy needing to remember his roots, while in 2024, McIlroy criticised Norman for suggesting that the current split in the game had been good.
However, the Northern Irishman’s stance has softened a bit and McIlroy recently conceded that LIV had benefitted him financially at least.
Indeed, given the current strained relationship, it’s worth touching on the fact that prior to all the LIV and PGA stuff, Greg Norman was actually a huge fan of McIlroy.
When Greg Norman picked Rory McIlory as his favourite PGA Tour player
Speaking five years ago about his favourite golfers to watch on the PGA Tour and before the emergence of LIV Golf, Norman had some more than kind words to say about Rory McIlroy.
In fact, he couldn’t have been more complimentary.
“I like to watch Rory McIlroy,” Norman admitted back in 2020. ” I think Rory’s got a lot of my style—he’s a really good driver of the golf ball.
“He’s an aggressive driver of the ball, and backs it up. And I like his ambassadorial demeanour. He’s by far the best, I think, in the way he caries himself and he represents the game extremely well.
“He’s a very humble guy, and when he screws up he admits it. And I like all that about him.”
Why Greg Norman wants to speak to Rory McIlroy now he’s left LIV
With Norman now a bit of an after thought from LIV Golf as his work as CEO came to an end, he’s now in a place where he can do as he pleases really.
Norman did have a big impact on LIV Golf in general and he’s left Scott O’Neil in a good place to continue to build.
However, Norman is keen to build bridges and he wants to speak specifically to McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
“I would love to. I would love them to recognise the fact that – like Tiger with his PIP money [Player Impact Program] – that only came because of LIV, right?,” Norman has said.
“So Tiger benefitted from that. Rory’s definitely benefitted from that. I would love to sit down and talk to them about it, no question about it. Because I’m not a judgmental person and you only learn the facts and truth when you hear the other side of it. But, yes, would I like to sit down with them? Sure, absolutely. And you know what? I’d win the debate.”
Whether or not that happens, remains to be seen. But golf is a small world at times and that trio will no doubt cross paths at some point.
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