Despite convincing nobody but himself that Greg Norman was going to play at the 150th Open Championship, the two-time champion has since stated that he is “disappointed with their (the R&A) decision.”

• Related: ‘It is so hurtful’ – Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée hits out at Greg Norman over recent Saudi comments

As continually confirmed by the ruling authorities, “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 exemptions.”

At 67 years-of-age and with his last victory being 29-years ago, it would have taken an extraordinary turnaround from not only the rules committee, but also tradition, for him to get in.

However, demonstrating that he believed he was going to be offered a place, the Shark has taken a not so subtle swipe over the decision with a recent Instagram post from St. Andrews captioned:

“Prepping for no reason. But still one of my all time fav golf courses to play @thehomeofgolf.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Greg Norman (@shark_gregnorman)

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the Aussie legend stays away from the current furore over the LIV golf series, stating his application “wasn’t anything else other than a sincere ask.”

“I’m a two-time Champion Golfer of the Year.” said Norman. “It is St Andrews, one of my favourite golf courses. I’ve always sung praises about the R&A my entire – being the champion golfer of the year, right, I’ve supported them as far as I could possibly support them as a representative of being the holder of the Claret Jug.”

He continued, “So I actually thought my son and I talked about this before I even came on board with LIV and I’ve spoken to, you know, former heads of R&As to understand ‘okay, what is the process?’ And I knew that they had changed the date. But I also know other players over the age of 60 have been given an exemption, right?”

Norman’s latest interviews confirm the feelings he showed when talking to Australian Golf Digest, when commenting, “I’m disappointed with their decision, particularly given it is The 150th Open. I have been a staunch proponent of the R&A since 1977 and a proud Champion Golfer of the Year–twice.”

The interview with Sky concludes this topic with his reasons behind the ambitious request in the first place:

“So hello duh it’s a simple writing a letter to Martin Slumbers asking: ‘Hey, as a two-time Open Champion Golfer of the Year. I love St. Andrews. I love to be there for that.’ It was a full 100% sincere ask.”

More from the 19th Hole

• 86-year-old Gary Player shows off remarkable club head and ball speed numbers
• ‘Absolutely disgusting’ – LPGA pro blasts Augusta National for its role in major venue change
• ‘Get it out of my face, man!’ – Brooks Koepka snatches phone from fan during tense exchange

Phil Mickelson is back on Twitter, and he appears to be less than pleased with his ‘cancelation’.

• Related: Nobody is safe as Phil Mickelson goes on Twitter blocking spree

In his first Twitter activity since February, Mickelson liked a user’s tweet that was in response to a Clay Travis tweet.

• Related: Biographer claims this is the shock real reason why Mickelson and caddie Bones split

Here is the original tweet from Clay Travis, which highlights that the NBA will be playing matches next year in the UAE, a country where homosexuality is punishable by death.

Yet @PhilMickelson gets canceled…WTF

— Brandon Jones (@mustangcards) May 10, 2022

The response, which Lefty liked, was from Twitter user Brandon Jones who voiced his frustration over the uneven backlash Mickelson has received in comparison to the NBA.

The like has since been removed by Mickelson, or perhaps it was liked by mistake.

As an aside, the 51-year-old also surprisingly liked one other tweet on his return to the platform, a Yahoo report on the PGA Tour blocking the release of “rebels” Mickelson and Lee Westwood.

More from the 19th Hole

• 86-year-old Gary Player shows off remarkable club head and ball speed numbers
• ‘Absolutely disgusting’ – LPGA pro blasts Augusta National for its role in major venue change
• ‘Get it out of my face, man!’ – Brooks Koepka snatches phone from fan during tense exchange

Pro golfers and their caddies usually keep their quarrels to club selection, but this week a former winner on the PGA Tour revealed that he and his caddie split ways for an entirely different reason.

• Related: Butch vs Haney? Ex-caddie reveals the coach that Tiger had his best swing under

Michael Kim, winner of the 2018 John Deere Classic, took to Twitter to tell a story about how his caddie attempted to distract playing partners Justin Thomas and Bobby Wyatt by making noise during their backswings at a prestigious amateur event.

Though clearly no fault of his own, Kim stated on social media that he was still sorry to both players to this day:

Asked what his reaction to the caddie’s attempt to distract his playing partners was, Kim said “disbelief” before explaining how the caddie “was making noise with the peanut butter cracker wrappers,” and he fired him immediately after the round.

A surprised Justin Thomas responded to Kim’s tweet, saying: “Wtf!!!! I never knew this G (smiling emoji)”. 

Kim has not named the caddie, or former caddie, in question.

More from the 19th Hole

• ‘Hey Cypress, we took your best shot!’ – Golfer plays Cypress Point in 70mph howling wind
• The chaotic F1 season finale explained in golf terms is absolutely hilarious
• ‘Don’t drink and order Taco Bell on Uber Eats’ – John Daly’s Taco Bell order is pretty incredible