Ryan Fox believes Rory McIlroy has "defeated the establishment" in his lead ambassador role for the DP World Tour and PGA Tour during a "messy" time for golf following the emergence of the Saudi-bankrolled LIV Golf Tour in 2022.
Fox was speaking to GolfMagic and the rest of the golfing media at this week's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai where the in-form New Zealander goes in pursuit of DP World Tour Rankings leader and World No.1 McIlroy.
"Yeah, I mean, I think he's been really thoughtful this year with what he [McIlroy] has said, and yeah, it's great to have someone like him; he's a great ambassador for the game," said Fox, who will join McIlroy for the opening round on Thursday.
"I don't know him very well, but by all accounts he's a really nice guy as well, which that's fantastic for golf in general.
"It's like he's taken the whole thing on his shoulders this year, and defeated the establishment in that regard. I think he's done a pretty damned good job of it.
"Obviously the world of golf is a bit messy at the moment and we need some common sense in there, and I feel like Rory for the most part has been that voice of common sense."
Related: How to Watch the DP World Tour Championship
McIlroy once again hit out at LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman ahead of the DP World Tour Championship on Tuesday.
The Northern Irishman believes Norman needs to walk away from his position because the PGA Tour are not going to talk to LIV Golf "unless there is an adult in the room".
McIlroy joined Tiger Woods earlier this season in hosting a players-only "emergency meeting" following the introduction of LIV Golf, which has attracted the likes of Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau this year.
Despite voicing strong criticism of LIV Golf from the outset this year, McIlroy has gradually eased his stance on matters and recently urged the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to "find a compromise" for the good of the game moving forwards.
Related: McIlroy laughs as he considers LIV Golf's OWGR headache
As it stands heading into the final event of the DP World Tour season, McIlroy leads Fox in the season-long race for glory by the smallest of margins.
Should Fox go on to win for a third time this season, then he will win the DP World Tour Rankings for the first time in his career.
McIlroy is looking to win it for a fourth time.
"If you'd have said this at the start of the year, I probably wouldn't have believed you," said Fox on his chances of pulling off an upset this week.
"But it's been an amazing season and hopefully I can finish it off this week. But regardless of what happens, I'm really proud of what I've done this year. It's been a fun ride."
If you fancy Fox to win for a third time this week, you might be quite surprised at his current odds.
Here's a look at the DP World Tour Rankings heading into the final tournament this week:
On playing with McIlroy for the first time in his career this week, Fox said: "I'm looking forward to it. He is the best player in the world to play off the No. 1 is always special.
"I've heard from plenty of guys on tour that he's a great guy, and just hope he doesn't bring the rugby up too much in the first couple of holes."
