Greg Norman wasn’t invited to The Masters because Augusta National didn’t want to distract from the tournament as one of his famous conquerors said he hoped the LIV Golf commissioner would one day return.
Despite PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan and DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley being invited to men’s golf’s first major of the year, Norman has been absent at Augusta as 18 of his LIV players tee it up against the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley fielded questions about Norman’s non-appearance in his traditional state of the nation address before the first round, confirming the former world No.1 wasn’t invited to this year’s event.
“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,” Ridley said.
“I would also add that, in the last 10 years, Greg Norman has only been here twice, and I believe one of those was as a commentator for Sirius Radio.
“I don’t know where the world is going to be next year or two years from now. But as I stated, I would never say never [to Norman returning].”
LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.
Even Asian Tour chief executive Cho Minn Thant, whose emerging circuit has aligned with LIV, has been spotted at Augusta as Norman ponders whether he will ever return to the scene of his heartbreak, which included three runner-up finishes.
Larry Mize, who chipped in on the second play-off hole to beat Norman and Seve Ballesteros for the green jacket in 1987, said on Thursday (AEST) he didn’t agree with the Australian’s backing of LIV Golf, which has divided the men’s professional game.
But he did say he hoped Norman would be welcomed back at Augusta one day.
“He’s got a great history here, there’s no question,” said Mize, who announced he’s playing his 40th and last Masters.
“Greg is a great champion. He was good for golf for so long while he was playing. Everything is going to work out in the long run, but it’s just a bit messy at the moment.
“That’s their call, but I’m sure he’ll be back here in some years. I hope so [anyway].”
Pressed on whether he thought Norman’s breakaway tour was the right thing to pursue, Mize said: “For me personally, no. With all respect, I think what he thinks he’s doing is right, and I disagree. It’s just my opinion. Greg is doing what he thinks is right.”
Ridley attended the champions dinner with six LIV players, and relations between stars from the two tours have largely been cordial for the week.
Cameron Smith and Adam Scott’s caddie during practice at Augusta.Credit:AP
But Norman’s LIV players including world No.6 Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia have worn the logos of their franchises on apparel at Augusta this week.
“The tone has been really good here this week,” Ridley said. “I’ve noticed the players are interacting.
“Last night at the champions dinner, I would not have known that anything was going on in the world of professional golf other than the norm.
“So I think, and I’m hopeful, that this week might get people thinking in a little bit different direction and things will change.”
LIV will host its first Australian event at Adelaide two weeks after The Masters win which Smith, Mickelson, Johnson and Koepka will headline.
Mize will continue his strong Australian flavour at Augusta after being paired with Min Woo Lee and amateur Harrison Crowe for the opening two rounds as he took a trip down memory lane with his dramatic win.
“I didn’t mean to [break Australian hearts,” he said. “Nothing personal, we’re all trying to win a tournament. Greg’s a great champion and Greg and I always got along really well.
“It’s a great week and an emotional week. And a nervous week. This is the ultimate golf tournament to me. It doesn’t get any better than this week.”
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