Jon Rahm was in the Persian Gulf this week, playing in the DP World Tour's Hero Desert Dubai Classic. It is one of the more iconic tournaments on the European Tour each year. Rahm posted a respectable opening round, but fell flat Friday, carding a 5-over 77. That was enough to send him home packing for the weekend.

Despite being on opposite sides of the issue, McIlroy and Rahm both expressed positive opinions about LIV Golf’s new CEO.

Jon Rahm believes replacing Greg Norman as LIV Golf CEO with “outsider” Scott O’Neil could lead to less “bad blood” with golf’s governing bodies.

Greg Norman has been replaced as LIV Golf CEO by Scott O'Neil - and Jon Rahm believes the decision was made due to the Australian's "bad blood" with golf's governing bodies

Rory McIlroy has said that Greg Norman's departure as CEO of LIV Golf is "probably a good move" while Jon Rahm believes it gives the Saudi-backed league a "less threatening image." LIV is moving forward with sports executive Scott O'Neil as its CEO,

Scott O'Neil replaced Greg Norman as LIV Golf CEO on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. O'Neil previously was CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Rory McIlroy has never hidden his frustration with Greg Norman, frequently criticizing the Australian as he helped launch the LIV Golf League and, in McIlroy’s mind, initiated the schism with the PGA Tour that has harmed men’s professional golf.