Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley has explained the reason why LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman was not invited to the Masters, which gets underway at the famed course in the United States this week. The year’s first golf major presents an intriguing scenario in which players from Norman’s Saudi-backed rebel competition will once again compete against their PGA Tour rivals for the coveted green jacket.
LIV Golf’s stars have been banned from competing on the PGA Tour but are allowed to compete at the Masters, following a decision from Augusta National bosses. However, Augusta bosses opted not to invite Aussie golf legend Norman, out of fears his presence would distract from the actual tournament.
Norman – who has been at the centre of the bitter civil war between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour – branded his Masters snub as “petty” after confirming that he had not be invited to attend the year’s first major. “Funnily enough, I haven’t been invited,” Norman told The Telegraph. “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.”
