(North Berwick) Greg Norman has already discussed the possibility of competing in the British Open next week. However, he was not even invited to the former champions’ dinner in St. Andrews.
Posted at 8:58
Norman, who won the British Open at Turnberry in 1986 and Royal St. George’s in 1993, would have been eligible for the famous “Celebration of Champions”, a four-hole friendly competition held only in St. Andrews, as well than at the dinner of former champions.
The Royal & Ancient (R&A) said on Saturday that it had contacted Norman to tell him “we have decided that he will not be invited to attend these events”.
“The 150e The British Open is a hugely important event for golf and we wanted to make sure it was all about the tournament and its legacy, said the R&A. Unfortunately, we believe that would not be the case if Greg was here. »
Norman has been seen as a stirrer in the golfing world since he was named president and COO of the Saudi-funded LIV Tour, which has paid around US$150 million so far for the services. former champions such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. In addition, its tournaments are limited to three rounds, with simultaneous starts, and each of them pays out 25 million in purses.
The PGA has suspended players who have agreed to join the LIV Tour, and the European Tour is imposing $120,000 fines on golfers every time they play a tournament in the controversial series.
Norman had previously angered the R&A in an interview with News Corp earlier this year. in which he said he was busy filling out the paperwork for the 150e British Open, before adding that “I think I can still participate”.
In response, the R&A said in a statement that “we do not anticipate granting any new exemptions.”