The biggest critic of Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed golf league could be about to make a staggering change of heart.
Say it ain’t so, Rory.
According to reports in the UK, Greg Norman is close to achieving a major win in a long-standing feud within professional golf.
Since the launch of Norman’s controversial LIV Golf tour in 2021, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy has been its most prominent critic among the players.
Several top golf players, such as Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Cam Smith from Australia, and Jon Rahm, have accepted the large financial rewards, but McIlroy resisted the temptation.
Uttering phrases like “I hate LIV” and he would “rather retire” than join the Saudi-funded league, McIlroy was the poster boy for the established PGA Tour.
The 34-year-old even made it personal with Norman, gloating after surpassing the Shark’s total of 20 PGA wins back in June 2022.
Norman called that “a compliment” and stated his 91 tournament wins globally and 331 weeks as world No. 1 should be next on McIlroy’s list as the feud only escalated.
McIlroy’s stance has softened in recent months, of course, as a truce loomed between the warring tours and now his former agent has fuelled the fire of the ultimate about face from the current world No. 2 – joining the Norman stable.
Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, who represented McIlroy early in his career, believes Rahm’s reported $900 million switch showed anything is possible and his former charge would command an even higher fee.
“Rory is of the ilk that he’ll say something because he likes to have an opinion, but he’s quite happy to apologise for it and that’s what he’s done,” Chandler told golf magic.
If you were being cynical, you might say he’s going to sign for about £750 million ($1.45 billion) in a month’s time with LIV because he’s paving the way that LIV’s OK now, whereas it wasn’t.
“Who knows? He doesn’t need £750 million but it’s odd what he’s done and I’m sure it’s a possibility.
“If he does it or not, I don’t know, but if Rahm can do it, most guys can do it.
“I believe there is a slight chance that he may be leaning towards signing with LIV, however, he understands that all the arguing and conflict is detrimental to the game of golf.” “The average person must be shocked by the large amounts of money being mentioned.”
Recently, McIlroy expressed his desire for LIV players not to face any penalties and hopes that the tours can reunite in order to ensure that tournaments, such as the four major ones held every year, can feature the most competitive fields.
Chandler mentioned that the present circumstances brought back memories of remarks made by a younger McIlroy regarding the renowned Ryder Cup.
Chandler commented that Rory is being characteristic of himself.
He mentioned that Rory is unreserved in expressing his opinions and is quick to apologize if he makes a mistake.
In 2008, when he began his professional career, we were sitting on a bench at Gleneagles. Rory expressed to me that the Ryder Cup held no significance for him.
“He mentioned that it was just a friendly match, but his focus is on winning major tournaments. Currently, no one is more passionate about the Ryder Cup than Rory McIlroy.”
We can only assume that Norman is excited about the opportunity to have some LIV Golf merchandise sent to his biggest critic.
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