Golf 2022: Greg Norman snubbed by the Open Championship

Two-time champion Greg Norman has been sensationally frozen out of this year’s Open Championship, both on and off the course.

Greg Norman has been snubbed by the Open Championship.

The two-time major winner has been contacted by the R & A — the body responsible for running the Open Championship — and politely told that he is not welcome at this year’s champion’s dinner.

Nor for that matter the celebration of champions field, which will be played on the Monday before the tournament begins and feature a host of past champions.

Norman won the Open Championship on two occasions — in 1986 and 1993 — but his reputation has taken a beating in recent months through his involvement as commissioner of the Saudi-backed LIV Tour.

Greg Norman has been told he’s not welcome at the this year’s champion’s dinner at The Open. Picture: Steve Dykes/Getty Images

The R & A decided that the best option would be to freeze Norman out. They haven’t ruled out inviting him again in the future, but he will be persona non grata at St Andrews this week as the Open Championship celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The R & A announced their decision in a statement on Saturday night.

“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 statement read.

“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. 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 has been at loggerheads with the all-powerful US PGA Tour in recent months after forging an alliance with the Saudi-backed private investment fund to start a rebel golf tour. Some of the biggest names in the sport have joined Norman’s tour, driving a wedge through the game and its players.