REBEL leader Greg Norman has been sensationally banned from taking part in the 150th Open celebrations at St Andrews.
The double Open winner has been told he will not be welcome at next week’s Champions Dinner, or the star-studded four hole celebration shoot-out at the Old Course on Monday.
Norman, who won the Claret Jug in 1986 and 1993, was seething over the unprecedented snub, describing it as “petty”.
But the R&A clearly feel Norman’s role as front man for the £200million LIV Golf series would be an unwelcome distraction, deflecting attention away from their historic event.
The Open organisers released a statement saying: “In response to enquiries regarding the R&A Celebration of Champions field and the Champions’ Dinner, we can confirm that we contacted Greg Norman to advise him that we decided not to invite him to attend on this occasion.
“The 150th Open is an extremely important milestone for golf and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the Championship and its heritage.
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“Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend. We hope that when circumstances allow Greg will be able to attend again in future.”
Norman, 67, had previously announced he would try to get a special permission to play at St Andrews, but that was dismissed as a publicity stunt.
He commented: “I’m disappointed. I would have thought the R&A would have stayed above it all given their position in world golf.
“It’s petty, as all I have done is prompt and grow the game of golf globally, on and off the golf course, for more than four decades.
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Norman will not be the only LIV rebel to miss the celebrations.
Six-time Major champion Phil Mickelson, who was paid a reported £150million to sign for the Saudi-Arabia-backed breakaway circuit, got his retaliation in first by telling the R&A he would not be available for either of their events.
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