Greg ‘not welcome this week’
GREG NORMAN has been told by Open chiefs he’s not welcome at St Andrews – to ensure golf’s bitter LIV feud does not spill onto the Claret Jug.
The Royal and Ancient have not invited the Australian legend to be part of their festivities at the 150th Championship due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Saudi-backed series.
Double Open winner Norman is frontman and CEO for LIV, which has caused a deep divide within the professional game. And Great White Shark is now off the menu for tomorrow’s Celebration of Champions, and the Champions’ Dinner.
Norman has accused the R&A of being petty after a statement suggested his appearance would be an unwelcome distraction and divert focus from the historic Championship.
It read: “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. Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend.”
Norman responded: “I’m disappointed. I would have thought the R&A would have stayed above it all, given their position in world golf.
“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.”
Rory McIlroy, however, is at St Andrews and relishing finally getting a chance to defend his title at the Old Course after a seven-year delay.
McIlroy, who won in 2014 at Hoylake, missed the 2015 visit to St Andrews with an ankle injury and said: “St Andrews will feel like the defence I never had.”