Greg Norman, the legendary Australian golf star and current CEO of the LIV Golf, has found himself in a peculiar situation once again. The former world number one, who has won two Open Championships, was effectively uninvited as an official guest to this year’s edition of the prestigious tournament.
It’s not the first time that Norman has found himself on the outside looking in when it comes to the game’s most prestigious events. Earlier this year, the R&A, one of the two governing bodies of the world of golf, made the decision to exclude Norman from the 150th Open Championship’s celebrations and Champions Dinner at St. Andrews. The reason, as stated by the R&A, was to “ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the Championship and its heritage.”
The Open Championship at Royal Troon
Now, as the world of golf turns its attention to this year’s Open Championship, set to be held at the historic Royal Troon course in Scotland, the R&A has once again made it clear that Greg Norman is not on their official guests list.
During a media day on Tuesday, Mike Woodcock, the director of corporate communications for the R&A, was asked about the possibility of Greg Norman attending the event as part of the official guests. Woodcock’s response was unequivocal:
“I don’t think there’s a G. Norman (on the list). I think they would have let me know if there was. So, I’m not aware that he’s bought a ticket so far.”
However, Woodcock no se detuvo ahí y le dio a Greg Norman el más frío cold shoulder que pudo habérsele ocurrido. As a “glimmer of hope” for the former champion, the director of corporate communications suggested that Norman could still attend the event by purchasing a ticket on the resale platform or through hospitality packages.
“He’s very welcome to look there,” Woodcock said.
Greg Norman, never one to mince words, reacted with characteristic disdain, describing the decision as “petty” and accusing the R&A of not staying “above it all” given their position in world golf. The Aussie’s sin, in its own words, was his role in “prompting and growing the game of golf globally, on and off the golf course, for more than four decades.”
This year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon is set to be a record-breaking event, with the R&A expecting a staggering 250,000 spectators, a significant increase from the 173,000 who attended the last time the tournament was held at the Ayrshire links in 2016.
The course itself will also feature some intriguing quirks, with the sixth hole, Turnberry, being extended by 20 yards to a mammoth 623 yards, making it the longest hole in Open history. This gargantuan par-5 will be followed just two holes later by the world-famous “Postage Stamp,” a par-3 that measures a mere 123 yards from the championship tees, making it the shortest hole in Open Championship golf.
Greg Norman and the Rebel’s Dilemma
For Greg Norman, the situation is a familiar one. The Australian, who has been at the forefront of the controversial LIV Golf tour, has found himself increasingly at odds with the game’s traditional power brokers. His decision to spearhead the Saudi-backed rebel tour has put him at loggerheads with the PGA Tour and the R&A, who have sought to distance themselves from the LIV project.
Norman’s presence at the Masters earlier this year, where he attended as a paying spectator (as we reported here), was seen as a bold statement, a defiant act of a man who has never been one to shy away from a fight. His decision to follow the groups of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, two of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars, only added to the intrigue and speculation surrounding his motives.
Now, as the Open Championship approaches, the question remains: will Greg Norman watch The Open Championship from the sidelines, as a mere spectator, in a sport and event he dominated?
The R&A’s stance, while perhaps understandable from their perspective, has done little to endear them to the fiercely independent Norman. The Aussie’s comments about the decision to exclude him were a clear indication of his displeasure, and it’s unlikely that he has softened his stance in the intervening months.
As the golf world prepares to descend on Royal Troon, the absence of Greg Norman, a two-time Open champion, will be felt by many. The game’s rebel, the man who has never shied away from a challenge, finds himself once again on the outside, looking in.
Whether he chooses to purchase a ticket and join the record-breaking crowds, or whether he decides to sit this one out, remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Greg Norman’s story is far from over, and the golfing world will continue to watch with bated breath as the drama unfolds.