Latest skirmish in golf’s civil war

Unwelcoming reception to LIV's Norman at majors is unbecoming

Greg Norman made quite the scene as paying patron at Masters (Warren Little/Getty Images)

Greg Norman showed up at Augusta National last month, without being invited, and the three-time Masters runner-up needed to buy a badge on the resale market to attend the Masters.

This was viewed as humorous in many circles, for obvious reasons. As a former major champion, Norman would have normally been an honorary invitee to the tournament by Augusta National. The fact that he wasn’t says all you need to know about the current state of affairs in the game.

While some might call that petty, it’s certainly Augusta’s right to do as it pleases. But wouldn’t it be better for all concerned if these petty games ceased and the leadership in the game acted in a manner consistent with figuring out the current landscape?

Norman, for his part, didn’t do himself any favors. He didn’t exactly shy away from the fact that he needed to buy a badge. The LIV Golf commissioner surely had numerous other ways to attend — including getting a badge from one of the 13 LIV players in the Masters field. Norman surely wasn’t planning to attend every day. Players get eight free badges per day. So none of the LIV players could come up with a single badge for a day or two?

A lot of the drama could have been avoided.

And so it was that the topic arose again on Tuesday. Yep, Norman’s name was part of the conversation at Royal Troon, where the R&A conducted a media preview for the Open Championship to be played this summer. Why the two-time Open champion’s name was broached is unclear — but it was.

Two years ago Norman was denied an invite to the 150th Open at St Andrews, as the LIV wars had just begun and his presence was viewed by CEO Martin Slumbers as a distraction. Never mind that Norman is a two-time winner of the event and would have otherwise been part of the festivities. Perhaps, then, it was understandable.

But now? As the game seeks some sort of resolution to ongoing off-the-course bickering, it seems a good time to put aside some of the pettiness.

“I don’t think there’s a ‘G Norman’ [on the list],” said Mike Woodcock, the R&A’s director of corporate communications. “I think they would have let me know if there was. So, I’m not aware that he’s bought a ticket so far.

“Obviously, there are tickets still available on the re-sale platform or hospitality. He’s very welcome to look there.”

Yikes.

It's unclear whether Norman has even requested to attend. Again, as a two-time champion (1986 and 1993) that might be considered a mere formality.

Of course, it’s on Norman to behave, too. If his intentions are to stir things up, well, that’s not good either. It is Norman, himself, who has said he has nothing to do with the Public Investment Fund negotiations with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. He has stated that LIV is operating on its own.

If so, there’s not much business he could conduct at the Open on LIV’s behalf.

Perhaps all involved should step back and take a look at how this is playing out. It’s not good for anyone.

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Tiger Woods’ new clothing line projects PGA start? (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Tiger’s Sun Day Red delivers PGA hint

Tiger Woods expressed his intentions to play in the PGA Championship after his final-day at the Masters, where he finished 60th and last among those who made the cut. He struggled mightily on the weekend, but vowed to put in the work and do his homework on the upcoming major venues, including Valhalla Golf Club, site of the PGA in two weeks.

But Woods has yet to officially commit to competing at Valhalla.

Perhaps his marketing folks did it for him.

Woods’ new apparel and accessory line is makings its debut on Wednesday. As part of the release announcing the Sun Day Red product line, Woods’ representatives said that the first iteration is called “The Hunt’’ and previews the colors Woods will be wearing at the PGA Championship. The brand will follow up with other releases throughout the month.

Woods won the 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla in the midst of his historic run that saw him win his third consecutive major championship on his way to four in a row — dubbed the “Tiger Slam,’’ when he completed the sweep at the 2001 Masters.

Last month, Woods made the cut at the Masters for the 24th consecutive time, setting a tournament record, before shooting his worst score ever at Augusta National in the third round.

“I’m going to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst, Valhalla and Troon, but that’s kind of the gameplan,’’ Woods said after the Masters, referring to the venues for the U.S. Open, PGA and British Open, respectively. “It’s always nice coming back here (Augusta National) because I know the golf course, I know how to play it. I can kind of simulate shots. Granted, it’s never quite the same as getting out here and doing it.

“Same thing, I heard there’s some changes at the next couple sites. So got to get up there early and check them out.’’

Since making the announcement about Sun Day Red along with TaylorMade Golf in advance of the Genesis Invitational in February, Woods has been wearing Sun Day Red apparel and footwear.