05 April 2023 , 17:30
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Masters chairman Fred Ridley has explained why Greg Norman wasn't invited to Augusta this year after the Australian said it was "petty" of organisers to ignore him.
LIV Golf chief executive Norman has been on the offensive in criticising the PGA Tour and some of its players over the past year. That led to him becoming a prominent face in golf 's ongoing civil war, and he was ultimately excluded from the 150th edition of The Open at St. Andrews last year.
He was granted more grace in Georgia and at least received a grounds pass for the 2022 edition of the Masters. But Norman told the Telegraph it was "so petty" of organisers to offer him "nothing, zilch, this time around."
'The Shark' held little back in his criticism of those in charge at Augusta, describing his 'disappointment' not to be in attendance, though he assured he'll "still be watching." In an attempt to salve any harm done, however, Ridley remarked the lack of an invite was solely to ensure all focus remains on those playing this weekend.
"We did not extend an invitation to Mr. Norman," said Ridley. "The primary issue and the driver there is that I want the focus this week to be on the Masters competition, on the great players that are participating, the greatest players in the world, which, by our decision in December, we ensured that we were going to honour and be consistent with our invitation criteria.
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"I would also add that, in the last ten years, Greg Norman has only been here twice, and I believe one of those was as a commentator for Sirius Radio. It really was to keep the focus on the competition."
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Greg Norman called the decision to not invite him to the Masters "petty" (NurPhoto via Getty Images)Given the current fissures between those on the PGA Tour and their peers who have absconded to join LIV, it's uncertain as to whether Norman can bank on any invites in future. As a two-time winner at The Open, it was a particular surprise to see the 68-year-old excluded from the British event.
Norman either placed or tied for second at the Masters on three separate occasions but never managed to earn his own Green Jacket. He'll watch with bated breath as Rory McIlroy seeks to surpass his own runner-up finish last year, with the Northern Irishman hoping to finally complete a career grand slam.
That may just be the nightmare scenario for Norman given he and McIlroy have feuded at times over the past year. In that event, The Shark may just be glad he's not around to witness a piece of golf history in person.