Golf News: Tiger Woods has defended the R&A’s choice to not invite Greg Norman to The 150th Open and has questioned the players’ choice to compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Series, which is sponsored by Saudi Arabia.
The CEO of the breakaway tour, Norman, was informed by the R&A that he would not be permitted to play in the Celebration of Champions competition or attend the Champions’ Dinner at St. Andrews prior to the final men’s major of the year.
Former major champions including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau have committed to the LIV Golf tournaments, while Tiger Woods is unsure about why players would “turn their backs” on the PGA Tour.
Speaking ahead of The Open, Woods said: “Greg has done some things that I don’t think are in the best interest of our game, and we’re coming back to probably the most historic and traditional place in our sport. I believe it’s the right thing.
“I know what the PGA Tour stands for and what we have done and what the Tour has given us, the ability to chase after our careers and to earn what we get and the trophies we have been able to play for and the history that has been a part of this game.
“I know Greg tried to do this back in the early ’90s. It didn’t work then, and he’s trying to make it work now. I disagree with it. I think that what they’ve done is they’ve turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position.”
Woods questions both the format of the LIV events and the prospects for those who participate in them at major tournaments because the LIV series does not currently award world ranking points, which means players may find it difficult to qualify for majors in the years to come.
“It’s up to all the major championship bodies to make that determination, but it is a possibility that some players will never, ever get a chance to play in a major championship, never get a chance to experience this right here, walk down the fairways at Augusta National,” Woods added.
“I just don’t comprehend that, to be honest. What is the incentive for practice given what these guys are doing for guaranteed money? What motivates someone to go out and work in the mud? Simply put, you’re playing in a few events and playing 54 holes while receiving sizable advance payment. They’re creating all these distinct atmospheres while playing loud music.
“I can understand 54 holes is almost like a mandate when you get to the Senior Tour. The guys are a little bit older and a little more banged up. But when you’re at this young age and some of these kids… they really are kids who have gone from amateur golf into that organisation.
“I just don’t see how that move is positive in the long term for a lot of these players, especially if the LIV organisation doesn’t get world ranking points and the major championships change their criteria for entering the events.”
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