Greg Norman is refusing to look at the Masters after being excluded by Augusta Nationwide.
Greg Norman has made his emotions clear after being snubbed by Augusta Nationwide (Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)
Greg Norman holds a major place in Masters historical past regardless of by no means carrying the Inexperienced Jacket. Nonetheless, he will not even be watching this 12 months’s match after being snubbed by Augusta Nationwide. Norman, who led the LIV Golf breakaway in 2022, stays amongst golf’s most divisive figures and Augusta Nationwide has refused to supply him an invite to the ninetieth version of the match, which begins on Thursday.
Norman was faraway from his LIV position following final 12 months, however he stays persona non grata at Augusta. The 71-year-old described the choice as a “crying disgrace.” Augusta historically gives invites to main champions, however Norman did not obtain one. He was equally shut out by Augusta Nationwide in 2023 amidst the furore surrounding the LIV break up. The next 12 months, the two-time main champion bought a ticket through the resale market and mingled with spectators outdoors the gallery ropes.
With out an invite for this 12 months’s occasion, Norman claims he will not be watching the match in any respect.
“Effectively, I will not be there, that is for positive. I by no means acquired the traditional invitation from the Masters,” he informed the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I will not even watch it [because] I will probably be in a foreign country, to be sincere with you. However I’ll comply with the outcomes day-by-day to see who’s main, what’s taking place.
“It simply looks like I’ve moved on from that, too, which is a crying disgrace as a result of [the] Masters and Augusta and plenty of mates I’ve in Augusta Nationwide, the powers to be determined to go in a unique route. So, I’ve to just accept that.”
Following affirmation that Norman was excluded in 2023 to forestall him from turning into a distraction, membership chairman Fred Ridley revealed that Norman had attended two Masters within the earlier decade after receiving invites.
Norman, ever the maverick, relished the possibility to stroll amongst the spectators the following 12 months.
He stated: “Getting out to the venue was one thing that I actually, actually loved after I purchased my very own ticket a few years in the past to go there.
Norman attended the 2024 Masters with a normal admission ticket after not receiving an invitation (Picture: Warren Little/Getty Photographs)
“To really feel it and stroll round with the patrons was great. I will always remember that couple of days, to be sincere with you, due to the assist I had, even within the warmth of all the pieces with LIV and the PGA Tour. The general sentiment was simply overwhelmingly optimistic.”
Norman was undeniably amongst the best gamers of his technology, claiming 88 skilled titles, together with two Open Championships.
But his standing at Augusta Nationwide stays that of a person who got here tantalisingly shut however by no means fairly achieved the final word prize.
He collected eight top-five finishes and shares the course document, but by no means pulled on the coveted Inexperienced Jacket.
Norman’s lowest level arrived in 1996, when he threw away a six-shot benefit on the ultimate day, gifting the title to Nick Faldo.
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A decade earlier, “The Shark” bogeyed the final gap and completed only one stroke behind Jack Nicklaus’ profitable whole.
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