What could possibly lead to such a surprising decision? Here is what puts Greg Norman in the spotlight.
Greg Norman is a professional golfer who has been in the game for over 30 years. He took home the Masters Tournament in 1986 and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2018, he made headlines when he spoke out against Tiger Woods following his win at Augusta National.
Truthfully, what did Greg Norman anticipate? The party’s turmoil in 2022 was set to replace the man’s status as the life of the party in 1986 and ’93.
Who wants to manage that annoyance? Not the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which is avoiding Norman in favor of having its drama occur amongst players on the Old Course at St. Andrews’ 72nd hole rather than at the 150th Open’s Champions’ Dinner.
The R&A has not invited Greg Norman to its celebrations
On July 2, 2022, in North Plains, Oregon, LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman signs hats during the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. | Steve Dykes/Getty Images
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club stated on Saturday that LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman is not among the invitees for Monday’s Celebration of Champions event or for the club’s annual Champions’ Dinner, stating that the organization wanted the emphasis to remain on golf.
Having won The Open in 1986 and 1993, Norman would typically be a well-known visitor at both competitions. Allowing his appearance was out of the question given his involvement in creating and marketing LIV Golf, a competitor to the PGA and European circuits.
Aside from concerns about the media circus that would ensue, the R&A membership undoubtedly did not want Norman, 67, in proximity to the world’s leading golfers, some of whom openly despise Norman.
“The 150th Open is an extremely important milestone for golf and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the Championship and its heritage,” the R&A statement said. “Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend. We hope that when circumstances allow Greg will be able to attend again in future.”
Despite his exemptions having expired, Norman’s desire to participate in The Open was similarly turned down by the competition authorities. It is not need to be very inventive to guess about Norman’s motivation since he last participated in the competition in 2009.
Greg Norman, as expected, is upset by the “petty” action
R&A giving Greg Norman the stiff-arm is like telling your problematic ex to stay the F away from your party because ITS YOUR BIRTHDAY DAMMIT AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE SPOTLIGHT TAKEN AWAY BY ALL THAT DRAMA pic.twitter.com/iaJqqcUvJQ
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) July 9, 2022
Greg Norman told Australian Golf Digest the R&A’s decision freezing him out from events surrounding The Open is disappointing.
” I would have thought the R&A would have stayed above it all given their position in world golf,” Norman said. “(It’s) petty, as all I have done is promote and grow the game of golf globally, on and off the golf course, for more than four decades.”
It is obvious that his current choice to influence the sport is the issue. As the CEO of the LIV Golf series, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, Norman has been enlisting PGA Tour athletes. Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson are some of the most well-known athletes that have defected.
Ironically, the main competitions do not prohibit LIV Golf members from competing. Therefore, 23 golfers from the LIV roster are eligible to play in The Open.
Like Sportscasting on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @sportscasting19 and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
According to U.S. Captain Zach Johnson, LIV Golf Defectors May Be Out of Luck for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Related Tags
- greg norman interview
- liv golf tour
- greg norman diet
