Greg Norman, the head of LIV Golf, is still viewed as being on the outside of the established system, as confirmed by R&A when they said he was not invited to The Open Championship.
Greg Norman, the commissioner of LIV Golf, was rudely informed that if he wants to attend The Open Championship this summer, he will have to purchase his own ticket after the R&A turned him down.
After establishing the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway tour in 2022, the Australian has become one of the most divisive figures in elite golf. He lifted the Claret Jug twice during his playing career.
Unlike in 2022, when he was ordered not to attend the 150th Open celebrations and the champions’ dinner at St Andrews because of his involvement in the golf industry’s civil war between LIV and the PGA Tour, Norman is not prohibited from competing in this year’s Open. “To ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the championship and its heritage,” the R&A stated at the time.
After two years, there has been a significant change in the golf industry. The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which supported LIV, has been in negotiations to merge with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour for a long time. However, the outspoken Norman continues to play a supporting role in the conventional golf establishment.
At a media day on Monday, R&A corporate communications director Mike Woodcock informed reporters that he was not aware of an invitation being sent to Norman for the event, suggesting that “The Shark” see what’s available for resale if he wanted to be part of the action at Royal Troon in July.
Woodcock stated, “I don’t think there’s a G. Norman [on the list].” If there had been, I believe they would have informed me. Thus, I’m not aware that he has purchased a ticket as of yet. Of course, there are still tickets available for hospitality or the resale platform. He is more than welcome to have a look.
Norman, 69, has previously purchased his own ticket for a major championship; earlier this month, he attended The Masters at Augusta National as a spectator. However, he probably would have enjoyed the opportunity to be on the other side of the fence with the other major players in the game.
His exclusion from the 150th Open guest list infuriated Norman. “I would have thought the R&A would have stayed above it all given their position in world golf,” he said to Golf Digest at the time. It’s trivial because all I have accomplished in over 40 years is to promote and expand golf worldwide, both on and off the course.
Nevertheless, the success of the tour’s competition in Adelaide, which culminated in Brendan Steele’s victory on Sunday with a one-shot victory, gave Norman a great weekend for LIV. A historic moment for the tour occurred at The Grange Golf Club, where sizable crowds created a boisterous atmosphere.
“The word ‘vindication’ is not appropriate. Norman stated, “It’s the ignorance of others who just didn’t get what we were attempting to accomplish. “Now that they’ve realized the genuine worth of LIV Golf, I genuinely feel bad for them and want to support it. The decades-long support Australia provided me during my playing career is something I will never forget.
“It’s why I brought LIV Golf back home… I did it for them. The people have well and truly spoken. Both individual and team golf is alive and well in Australia and they deserve it. I knew they would support this event.”
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