PGA Tour 2022: Greg Norman uninvited to QBE Shootout, an event he helped found
Greg Norman has taken to social media to complain about being warned away from a PGA event he helped create despite his Saudi-backed rebel tour being a direct competitor.
Greg Norman has been told to stay away from the PGA Tour tournament he helped found and host for more than 30 years ago - the QBE Shootout.
Norman posted a missive on social media in the early hours of Wednesday morning where he revealed that he had been asked to steer clear of the event, which was also known as the Shark Shootout.
His ban emerged as LIV Golf stepped up pressure on world rankings officials, urging them to recognise the rebel tour in a letter that was co-signed by 48 players, including Australians Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman.
“Sadly, after 33 consecutive years of playing in and hosting every Shootout tournament - a co-sanctioned PGA Tour event - since I founded it in 1989, this year I have been asked not to attend,” Norman wrote.
“Why one might ask? Perhaps it is because I am helping to give golf a new heartbeat, creating new value and delivering a new product that is loved by players, fans and broadcasters alike.
“And in doing so, finally giving players their rights as independent contractors to benefit from their performance and brand.
“In some people’s mind this is too disruptive and evolution is perceived as a bad thing. I disagree – competition breeds excellence.
“Change is good. Evolution and innovation of the professional golf product has been needed for decades - just ask the next generation of golf fans.”
Norman is at war with the PGA Tour over his involvement with LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed rebel tour that has shelled out huge money to recruit some of the biggest stars in the sport, most notably Australian Cameron Smith.
The civil war has split world golf, turning some of the biggest names in the sport against each other. It has now cost Norman the opportunity to host an event that has become synonymous with his name, raising more than $US15 million for charity since its inception.
The tournament’s website still features photos of Norman and the event will be hosted at a course he designed, but that will be as close as the two-time major winner and Hall of Famer gets to the event.
Meanwhile, the LIV Tour continues to fight for recognition from the world rankings body, sending a letter to chairman Peter Dawson on Wednesday pleading their case.
“Every week that passes without the inclusion of LIV athletes undermines the historical value of OWGR (Official World Golf Rankings),” the letter said.
“As time goes by, LIV golfers automatically decline in the rankings. For example, Dustin Johnson was ranked 13th on OWGR shortly before he announced he would play in LIV tournaments.
“He now ranks 22nd – despite finishing eighth, third, second, and first in the first four LIV events. For the rankings to be accurate, DJ deserves to move up, not down.”
The letter questioned whether members of the OWGR were being pressured into ignoring LIV Golf’s claims. World rankings points are crucial when it comes to the majors in particular.
“The case for LIV’s inclusion is strong, but we have concerns that members of your governing board are conflicted and are keeping the OWGR from acting as it should,” the latter said.
“Four of the eight members have connections to the PGA Tour, which unfortunately views LIV Golf as an antagonist.
“Other members of the board have made unfairly harsh remarks about LIV, with one of them calling the organisation “not credible.”
“We call on you to render a positive decision quickly – for the benefit of the integrity of the rankings, the game and all of us who love the sport.
“After all, the fans deserve rankings that are inclusive and accurate. Failure to include 48 of the world’s best golfers would mean the fans are being denied what they deserve.”
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