Greg Norman’s last-ditch effort to play the 150th Open at St Andrews has been rejected by the R&A, with a spokesman confirming to Australian Golf Digest the governing body had not changed its position on denying exemptions to former champions over the age of 60.
When news broke of Norman’s intentions to enter July’s milestone Major at the Home of Golf, the R&A released an April 24 statement clarifying the entry terms and conditions for the tournament, which stipulate that a champion must be aged 60 or under or have won the championship in the previous 10 years to be exempt from qualifying. “That remains the case for The 150th Open and we have no plans for any additional exemptions,” the R&A concluded.
Disappointed with the outcome, Norman wrote to the R&A to request a special exemption as a two-time Champion Golfer of the Year. However, The Shark was hit with more bad news overnight, an R&A spokesman confirming to Australian Golf Digest it had received Norman’s letter but would not be changing its stance.
“We have replied to him. There is no change to our position,” said the spokesman.
Norman was still comprehending the latest setback when contacted by this magazine on Thursday morning (AEST).
“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.”
It means the Shark’s last remaining avenue to play St Andrews in July will be via an Open qualifier, something, he told Australian Golf Digest, he has no intentions of doing.
Jack Nicklaus famously chose the 2005 Open at St Andrews for his swanswong at the Majors but the age limit for past champions was 65 at the time.
Tom Watson waved goodbye at the 2015 edition at St Andrews but his eligibility for that Open was more complicated. In 2009, Watson finished second at the Open at Turnberry after losing in a playoff to Stewart Cink. Later that year, the R and A announced a new criteria for the Open – any former Open winner who finishes in the top 10 and ties at an Open Championship would be exempt for another five years. That took Watson to 2014, but the R&A extended it by one year. Hence, Watson was able to play the 2015 Open at St Andrews.
This year, 1989 Open champ Mark Calcavecchia, 61, will make his swan song at St Andrews after his plans to do so at Royal Royal St George’s in 2020 were scuppered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Norman has been in the headlines recently as the face of the LIV Golf Investments – a golf operation funded by the Saudi Arabia government which is about to begin its own tour, starting next month in the UK.
