Norman’s rebel golf league role robs him of Open invite

The following R&A statement was released soon after Greg Norman expressed his wish to play in this year’s British Open at St Andrews: “The entry terms and conditions for The Open 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 exemption.”

Norman, who has made 27 appearances in the tournament from 1977-2009, winning twice and recording a very respectable 10 top-10 finishes, said: “Who wouldn’t want to play in the 150th Open at the home of golf?”

When you look carefully at those who are allowed to tee it up at the Masters, year after year, it’s hard to understand why this former winner of the event is not allowed to dust off his clubs and have a go, yet a wildcard would be seen as an extraordinary…