Greg Norman hits outs at “petty” Masters snub

To the surprise of hardly anybody, Greg Norman won’t be at Augusta National this week for the 87th edition of The Masters.  

The LIV Golf CEO has not been invited to the first men’s major of the season.  

Speaking to The Telegraph, the two-time major champion – three times a runner-up at Augusta – revealed that the customary passes he has received in previous years have been withheld this time around. 

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“Funnily enough, I haven’t been invited,” said Norman “As a major winner I always was before, but they only sent me a grounds pass last year and nothing, zilch, this time around. I’m disappointed because it’s so petty but of course I’ll still be watching.” 

Softening the blow, perhaps, is the fact that 18 LIV golfers will be in the field this week.  

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed shortly before Christmas that the Masters tournament committee would not stand in the way of eligible players, who are aligned with Norman’s Saudi-fronted enterprise, from pegging it up. 

Should one of them win, Norman says he would be “the happiest man in the world”. 

“You could say I came within touching distance [of winning The Maters] on a few occasions and I suppose it stands out as the big absence on my CV,” he added. “That’s part of why it would mean so much to see one of our LIV family in the Butler Cabin.  

“I would be the happiest man in the world, the first to ring and congratulate and pay for what would be an incredible party.  

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“But it’s not about me it’s about the players and I’m telling you they’re not going there as individuals, but as a team, backing each other, supporting and rooting for each other. I think that gives these great players an even greater chance next Sunday. 

“It’s setting up to be a real goody of a Masters and LIV has a lot to do with that, no matter what anyone says. We do things differently and we are new and fresh and innovative and it might be like two world’s colliding. But it’s still golf. They won’t say it, but Augusta know they are the huge beneficiaries in all of this.” 

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor