Greg Norman on his return to The Open Championship as an Official Guest – “It’s good to be back”

In a surprising turn of events, Greg Norman, the renowned two-time Open Champion and CEO of LIV Golf, made a rare appearance at the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon. Sporting an official R&A guest badge, Norman’s presence marked a significant moment for both him and the golfing community, given his recent estrangement from major tournaments. 

Greg Norman expressed his delight at being back, saying:

“It’s good to be back. The Open has a lot of history for me. To me, it was the best championship of all. The Masters is the Masters, but I put this one up above all four of them because it is a true open.”

This sentiment echoes his deep connection to the tournament, where he has experienced both triumph and heartbreak.

Greg Norman’s Comeback to the Open

Greg Norman’s recent sighting at Royal Troon comes after a period of notable absences from major golf events. As the CEO of LIV Golf, Norman has found himself at the center of a heated divide between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. This friction reached a peak in 2022 when Norman was not invited to the Champions’ dinner at the 150th Open at St. Andrews, a move that highlighted the growing tensions.

Norman’s launch of LIV Golf just a month before the championship raised concerns that his presence might detract from the historic celebration.

Earlier this year, Greg Norman also made headlines when he attended the Masters at Augusta National as a ticketed patron, a stark contrast to his previous status as a celebrated champion. Despite these setbacks, Norman’s resolve remained unshaken. His return to the Open, equipped with the same privileges extended to all former champions, signals a potential thaw in the chilly relations between Norman and the traditional golfing establishment.

Greg Norman’s reappearance at Royal Troon is not just a personal victory but also a testament to the evolving dynamics within the golfing world. The acceptance of LIV Golf players in major championships, such as Bryson DeChambeau’s victory at the U.S. Open and the inclusion of several LIV players at the PGA Championship, indicates a gradual integration of LIV Golf into the broader golf ecosystem. 

Reflecting on this progress, Norman stated:

“I think in the beginning there was a lot of, I guess, misinterpretation of the situation [LIV Golf’s divide with the PGA Tour]. I love seeing the way things have settled down now. Everybody’s seen that within the ecosystem, LIV Golf has been accepted and the players deserve to be in these big championships.”

This perspective underscores Greg Norman’s vision for a more inclusive golfing world, where players from different leagues can compete on the grandest stages.

Greg Norman’s presence at Royal Troon is also a reminder of his storied history with the course. In 1989, he delivered a remarkable performance, birdieing the first six holes of the final round and shooting a 64, only to lose in a playoff. Despite this, his legacy includes two Open victories, in 1986 at Turnberry and in 1993 at Royal St George’s, solidifying his place in golfing history.

As Norman watched the action unfold at Royal Troon, he couldn’t help but reflect on the course’s unique challenges.

“Troon is a tough golf course,” he noted. “Yesterday, the wind for the first couple of holes, around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m., was blowing really solid. And then when you make the turn, you’ve got all that wind pushing the ball towards the railway line around Nos. 10 and 11.”

“Those holes become even more difficult because you never play the golf course truly straight into the wind or straight downwind. It’s always testing your ball flight and how you spin the golf ball.”

Greg Norman’s return to the Open Championship, particularly at Royal Troon, symbolizes more than just a personal homecoming. It represents the enduring spirit of the game and the possibility of reconciliation and unity within the sport. His presence, marked by an official guest badge, serves as a beacon of hope for a future where the golfing world can embrace its diverse factions and celebrate the game in its entirety.