Greg Norman, a former top golfer, made headlines last year when he was not extended an invitation to The Masters. This year, however, Norman has been at Augusta National showing support for the 13 players representing LIV Golf, a group financially backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. These players include past Masters champions such as Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, and Jon Rahm. Norman expressed his intention to support these players and show that he is rooting for them during the tournament.
Several players who participated in last year’s Masters did not receive an invite this year, including Harold Varner III, Talor Gooch, and Abraham Ancer. On the other hand, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, and Cameron Smith qualified to play, while Joaquin Niemann received a special invitation. As LIV players, they were allowed to compete after Augusta announced that they could play with a qualification or invitation, emphasizing the importance of bringing together a prestigious field of golfers for the tournament.
Despite some controversy surrounding LIV Golf and its connection to the Saudis, Norman has received a positive reception at Augusta National. He shared that many people have stopped him to express support and admiration for what LIV is doing, indicating that the platform fits well within the golfing ecosystem and is beneficial for the sport. As the tournament progresses, DeChambeau has taken the lead, while last year’s top players like Koepka and Mickelson finished near the top.
Notably, Greg Norman himself never won a Masters title, coming close with three second-place finishes in 1986, 1987, and 1996. In the 1996 tournament, Norman famously lost a six-stroke lead on Sunday, allowing Nick Faldo to secure the victory. Despite this, Norman’s presence at Augusta National this year signifies his continued involvement and support for the game of golf and the players representing LIV Golf. Overall, the tournament is shaping up to be an exciting and competitive event, with several top players contending for the coveted green jacket.
