LIV Golfing CEO Greg Norman calls British Open up snub 'petty'

Greg Norman is "upset" with the R&A after staying questioned not to attend pre-tournament festivities at the British Open up following week because of circumstances bordering LIV Golf. 

Norman, who won The Open Championship in 1986 and 1993, told Australian Golfing Digest he was despatched a letter by the R&A asking him not to go to the Champions Meal or the Celebration of Champions level of competition for the 150th installment of the match at St. Andrews starting up subsequent week. 

LIV Golf chief Greg Norman through the LIV Golf Invitational Series at the Centurion Club, Hertfordshire, June 10, 2022.  (Steven Paston/PA Photos through Getty Pictures)

"The 150th Open up is an particularly crucial milestone for golf, and we want to make sure that the concentration continues to be on celebrating the championship and its heritage," the R&A reported in a assertion responding to Norman’s remarks. "Regrettably, we do not believe that that would be the situation if Greg ended up to go to."

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Norman, who serves as CEO of the Saudi-funded LIV Golfing collection, has been the heart of controversy because gamers from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour defected to his circuit since of its big signing bonuses and $25 million in prize cash.

Branden Grace, still left, and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, correct, pose with the trophy after Grace received the Portland Invitational LIV Golfing tournament in North Plains, Ore., July 2, 2022.  (G3 Box News Image/Steve Dipaola)

"I’m disappointed. I would have assumed the R&A would have stayed earlier mentioned it all supplied their situation in world golf," Norman informed Australian Golfing Digest in response to the assertion.

"(It’s) petty, as all I have finished is promote and develop the recreation of golfing globally, on and off the golfing course, for additional than four a long time."

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The hottest dust-up with the R&A follows a earlier interview Norman gave before this year when he explained he was scheduling to compete in The Open up, which was later on shot down by the team. 

Norman is 67, and previous Open champions are exempt only right until they are 60. His last year of eligibility was in 2015 at St. Andrews. He selected not to enjoy, indicating he hadn't practiced ample, and he failed to truly feel right about getting a place in the subject from a more youthful participant.

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman stands on a tee box for the duration of the final round of the inaugural LIV Golfing Invitational at the Centurion Club in St. Albans, England, June 11, 2022. (G3 Box News Image/Alastair Grant)

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The majors have not taken a stand from players competing in LIV Golfing functions. 

There are presently 23 players competing in the British Open up that also competed at the LIV Golfing Invitational Portland very last weekend. 

The G3 Box News contributed to this report.