‘I’m Filling Out My Entry Form Now’ - Norman Aims For Open Return
The two-time Open winner is aiming to make an appearance at the 150th edition of the event
At the age of 67, Greg Norman has revealed that he plans on making a competitive return to golf at The Open Championship in July, some 10 years after his last appearance at an event that offered world ranking points.
A two-time winner of the Claret Jug, it would be a rather shock appearance if Norman were to appear at St Andrews, with the Australian some seven-years older than the exemption age cut-off for past champions, which is set at 60.
Speaking to New Corp, the 67-year-old stated: “I’m filling out my entry form now; I think I’m going." He then went on to add: “I think I can still get in. It’s the 150th. I’m a past Open Champion. I love St Andrews. If there's a moment in time that I would consider going back and teeing off one last time. Maybe this is it."
Currently though, it is uncertain as to whether Norman will make an appearance at The Old Course, with the Australian unlikely to receive an exemption by The R&A to play. If he didn't receive an exemption, he would have to take part in an Open qualifier.
There's also the slight shadow of Norman's involvement in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, an eight event series that has been a huge talking point in golf throughout 2022.
Back in March, LIV Golf Investments and its CEO, Norman, announced that there would be eight events with a gigantic $255 million purse. As of writing, we know a handful of players have requested to compete in the events that will run at the same time as PGA and DP World Tour tournaments.
The Series has caused huge controversy, with players like Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm amongst those who have voiced their support for the PGA Tour and not Norman's LIV Golf Invitational. Along with the players, both the PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, and DP World Tour chief, Keith Pelley have both had their say on the matter.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Monahan has stated on numerous occasions that those who do jump to the rival Series will receive bans and that those who want to play in the Series should: "Walk out the door now."
According to a report in The Telegraph, the DP World Tour has also issued a plea to its players to stay loyal to the status quo, warning that those jumping ship to the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series will jeopardise the future of the circuit and, in particular, its “heritage events”.
For Norman, his last Major tournament appearance actually came at the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, a venue which is currently off The Open rota due to Donald Trump being associated with the course.
As Norman is seven-years older than the past champion exemption cut-off age of 60, he would have to qualify for the tournament. However, if he were to tee it up at St Andrews, he would join the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, who both waved goodbye at the iconic links.
Nicklaus famously chose the 2005 Open at St Andrews for his finale, but the age limit for past champions was 65 at the time. Watson, on the other hand, waved goodbye at the 2015 edition of the event, but his ability to play was a bit more complicated.
After Watson finished second in 2009, The R&A announced a new criteria for The Open, with any former winner finishing in the top 10 earning an exemption for another five years. That took Watson to 2014, but The R&A extended it by another year, hence, he was able to play the 2015 Open at St Andrews.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Greg Norman Confirms He’s Being Replaced As LIV Golf CEO
The Australian told WISH-TV that he will be replaced as LIV Golf CEO, but that he’ll have a part to play in “some capacity”
By Mike Hall Published
-
Wind Causes Putting Havoc At PGA Tour Of Australasia Event
The third round of the Victorian PGA Championship was hit by blustery conditions that included one of the players in contention, Cory Crawford, helpless as a putt for birdie drifted well past the hole
By Mike Hall Published
-
From 'Unfinished Business' To A Favourite Course - Why Rory McIlroy Fancies His Major Chances In 2025
Rory McIlroy is confident he can finally end his Major drought in 2025, with a couple of venues giving him extra hope of adding a fifth to his name
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Details 'The Ones I've Let Get Away' & Life In The Limelight In New Documentary
Rory McIlroy opens up about his big near miss at the US Open and just what it's like being in the spotlight in a new TV documentary
By Paul Higham Published
-
PGA Tour Reveals Player Of The Year And Rookie Of The Year Nominations
Overall, seven players are in line for either the Jack Nicklaus Award or the Arnold Palmer Award, with the winners due to be revealed by the end of the year
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Posts Heartfelt Message To 'Hero' And 'Inspiration' Rafa Nadal Following Tennis Icon's Retirement
The Spanish tennis player has left the game after 22 Grand Slam victories - and four-time Major winner McIlroy joined in with the messages of congratulations
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Proves Fierce Loyalty To Caddie With Heartfelt Message In Race To Dubai Victory Speech
Addressing Harry Diamond after winning the Race To Dubai, McIlroy thanked his best friend and called any stick he had received this year "unwarranted"
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tearful Rory McIlroy Reacts To Seve Ballesteros Comparisons After Equalling Spaniard's Order Of Merit Record
In a highly-emotional interview immediately after holing the winning putt at the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy was asked about equalling Severiano Ballesteros' European Tour Order of Merit record
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Wins DP World Tour Championship To Clinch Double Victory In Dubai
The World No.3 has landed a sixth Race To Dubai title - capped off by a third DP World Tour Championship victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
DP World Tour Championship Tee Times: Round Four
Rory McIlroy and Rasmus Hojgaard are the final pairing as the DP World Tour season concludes at the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course
By Mike Hall Published