Augusta chairman Ridley breaks his silence on LIV chief Norman's snub

Augusta chairman Fred Ridley breaks his silence on LIV chief Greg Norman’s Masters snub as he reveals organizers wanted to ‘keep focus on the players’ – amid row with Saudi breakaway tour

  • Fred Ridley explained that Augusta wants to keep focus on the players at Masters
  • Greg Norman has been the face of the very controversial LIV series since 2022 
  • Click here for all your latest international sports news from DailyMail.com 

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley has revealed that Greg Norman was not invited to The Masters in a bid to ‘keep focus on the players’ amid the sport’s ongoing ugly battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

Norman has become the enemy of golf’s traditionalists in recent months after he became the face of the Saudi-backed breakaway tour last year.

And despite the players who defected being able to play at Augusta for The Masters this year, LIV’s head honcho did not get an invite, something which has created headlines around the world.

Speaking for the first time on the decision, Ridley said at a press conference on Wednesday: ‘We did not extend an invitation to Mr Norman. 

‘The primary issue and the driver there is that I want the focus this week to be on The Masters competition, on the great players that are participating… the greatest players in the world.

Fred Ridley explained Augusta’s decision to keep Greg Norman away from The Masters in 2023

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman will not be at The Masters this year after getting snubbed

‘By our decision in December we ensured we are going to honor and be consistent with our invitation criteria. 

‘I would also add that in the last 10 years Greg Norman has only been here twice, and one of those was as a commentator for Sirius radio. But it really was to keep the focus on the competition.’

Norman first revealed his Masters snub last week, ahead of the first edition of the famous tournament since his breakaway circuit crashed onto the scene last June.

The controversial Australian has never won the major but finished second three times, including a brutal play-off loss to Larry Mize in 1987 and the infamous collapse in 1996 when he conceded a six-shot lead to Nick Faldo. 

But his two major wins – the 1986 and 1993 Open Championships – had regularly secured him a ticket to the event before, until now.  

‘Funnily enough, I haven’t been invited,’ Norman told Telegraph Sport. ‘As a major winner I always was before, but they only sent me a grounds pass last year and nothing, zilch, this time around. I’m disappointed because it’s so petty but of course I’ll still be watching.’ 

Norman insisted the thought of Dustin Johnson dueling with McIlroy down the stretch on Masters Sunday would be a spectacular showdown that would be huge for the game and claimed that the golfing world has LIV to thank for it. 

Ridley (right) speaks to Tiger Woods at Augusta ahead of the start of this week’s tournament

Norman said Dustin Johnson (L) dueling with Rory McIlroy on Sunday would be good for golf

And, if Johnson, Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka or any other of LIV’s players do clinch the win, the drinks will be on Norman. 

‘You could say I came within touching distance on a few occasions and I suppose it stands out as the big absence on my CV,’ Norman said. 

‘That’s part of why it would mean so much to see one of our LIV family in the Butler Cabin. I would be the happiest man in the world, the first to ring and congratulate and pay for what would be an incredible party.

‘But it’s not about me it’s about the players and I’m telling you they’re not going there as individuals, but as a team, backing each other, supporting and rooting for each other. I think that gives these great players an even greater chance next Sunday.’

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