Greg Norman knew there’s no way he could get through qualifying for the 150th Open Championship so The Lamest Commissioner In The Land penned a letter to the R&A basically begging for a special exemption to play in the upcoming 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews.
“We have replied to him,’’ a spokesman for the R&A said. “There is no change to our position.’’
And the R&A’s position is basically: No Soup For You, Greg Norman!
The R&A took that stance early and confirmed that “no change” in their mindset, which denies said Special Exemption to The Lamest Commissioner In The Land.
The Open Championship welcomes past champions in the field up to the age of 60. There’s another way in if you place in the top 10 after the age of 60 — that gets you another five years free ride into the oldest of the major championships. Tom Watson nearly won in 2009 at age 59, so he was good for 2010=2014. The R&A tacked on another year so Tom could finish his Open days at St. Andrews in 2014.
“I’m disappointed with their decision, particularly given it is the 150th Open,’’ Norman said. “I have been a staunch proponent of the R&A since 1977 and a proud Champion Golfer of the Year – twice.’’
Of course, Norman added that he would not attempt to earn his way into the event.
Bad Boy Thorbjorn Olesen Tied For Lead At British Masters:
Once upon a time Thorbjorn Olesen was a rising star on the European (DP World) Tour. Then came his little “incident” on a long plane ride from Memphis to London where he was behaving so badly he was arrested upon touchdown at Heathrow.
His suspension from the tour is over and now he’s trying to work his way back to his previous form and he found some of it on Thursday during the opening round of the British Masters at The Belfry. He shot a bogey-free 66.
Olesen is a five-time winner on the DP World Tour, his last victory came in 2018. He made the European Ryder Cup team that year but his legal troubles kept him off the tour the past couple of seasons.
“Obviously a good start with birdie on 10, my first hole,” Olesen said. “I thought I played really well, thought I’ve had some good rounds this year and just haven’t finished it off. It was really nice to get that up-and-down on the last and have that momentum and not make a bogey today. I was really pleased with that.
“There’s a lot of things I want to accomplish. You have to stay in the present obviously but it’s been a while since I’ve been in the winner’s circle, and that’s my main goal this year,” he added. “Obviously I’m working hard on my swing, changed coach. It’s starting to get a lot better and hopefully I can just build on some confidence with it.”
Olesen went out early and set the pace for the morning wave. In the afternoon, New Zealander Ryan Fox shot his own 66 and he’s tied with Olesen after the first day’s play.
German Hurly Long, China’s Wu Ashun and Scot Richie Ramsay were one shot behind the co-leaders at five-under par. Rasmus Højgaard, who was a winner at The Belfry in 2020 in the ISPS HANDA UK Championship, among those another stroke further back at 68.
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6 Comments
baxter cepeda
Gregs shenanigan here likely had something to do with LIv and Saudi golf. Publicity. But based on Augustas take on Phil being welcome back, I do not believe the Sharks new venture tour had anything to do with the RNAs decision.
What definitely had something to do with it is the Shark passing on the last Open at the home of golf.
Tom Edrington
Truth be known, Greg has burned a LOT of bridges, including the one with the R&A — Greg will go own as one of the great bridge-burners
baxter cepeda
Not in my book Tom. They surely will be remembered for pissing off some suits scared of losing their lavish lives, also media very comfortable with their pga tour perks; all thanks to players like Lefty and Shark…the scared young pup players will eventually come around; and the people will remember them as the great players they are. And the boldness they possess on and off the course.
They are well on their way to having created amazing new opportunities for players.
Amidst the rampant bias it’s worth noting Shark and Phil didn’t kill anyone. They are business competitors to the pga tour now. #deal with it.
My concern for the pga tour is I don’t know how much of a competitor Monahan is. Instead of improving his product, he is grasping at straws by threatening players. That’s all he has. He is not Beaman or Finchem. He isn’t creative enough, bold enough, to take the pga tour to the next level. So instead he will cost the tour fortunes in lawyer fees arguing what in my book seems like nonsense that they can somehow black ball players.
Tom Edrington
When you “JOIN AND ORGANIZATION” you are required to abid by the rules of such and the PGA Tour DOES HAVE RULES…..they existed before the LIV Series and will exist when the LIV Series folds.
baxter cepeda
All true.
But the pga tour rules have never been challenged Tom because the old commissioners were always a step ahead while this commissioner is always a step behind; highlighted at the start of the pandemic where he was practically crying about loss of revenue while everyone else helped protect the world.
Unless you are in complete biased denial What we know is Liv is here and isn’t going anywhere.
This is going to come down to either compromising or who has the best commissioner. And I’ll put my money on Greg- one of the best competitors on and off the golf course- over Monahan.
I want to reiterate I want the pga tour to remain extremely successful and growing; and I believe it can even with LIv in the picture. But The last thing the pga tour needs is it’s big names leaving when they get to a certain age. Keep in mind blackballing players That means they won’t play the champions tour.
Even Monahans brownosers like Rory argue the pga tour has way too many tournaments; which is what makes it impossible for anyone else to invest in golf.
The pga tour stole the silly season from us, it has made the euro tour and all other tours succumb to them.
Despite having almost everything they cry they don’t have a major. Phil said what he said about obnoxious greed for a reason. But now they have to deal with someone their own size, if not bigger.
This is an overdue heavy weight battle.
In the end we will be left with more options and more money for the players. It’s really that simple.
Tom Edrington
Baxter, you may or may not recall the first time the USFL appeared then eventually sued the NFL for it monopoly-type hold on football — the courts awarded the USFL — $1. If this were to become a legal battle, it would take YEARS to get to court and you have a foreign entity trying to sue an American entity, might have no standing PLUS, in labor law, courts take a very hard stance on companies that attempt to steal from other companies. It could linger for years so players won’t risk long-term suspension to go to a league that may not survive long-term; Plus, will they get all their “endorsement” money if they are not on television?