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Augusta National chairman explains decision to not invite Greg Norman to the 2023 Masters

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Well over a dozen LIV players will tee it up at Augusta today, but their chairman, Greg Norman, will not be present as a guest.

The 68-year-old, three-time runner-up at the Masters, revealed that he had not received any invitation to appear at this week’s opening major, describing himself as “disappointed” with the “petty” decision.

12 months ago, Norman found himself rejected from his application to play at the historic 150th Open Championship, a decision the R&A based on their entry terms and conditions. Soon after, the two-time Open champion said, “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.’’

A year on, and the response is similar.

“As a major winner I always was before, but they [Augusta National] only sent me a grounds pass last year and nothing, zilch, this time around,” said the Australian. “I’m disappointed because it’s so petty but of course I’ll still be watching.”

Augusta National chairman. Fred Ridley, explained the decision to the host of reporters camped at Augusta this week.

“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,” Ridley clarified. “By our decision in December [to permit entry by LIV golfers]], we ensured that we were going to honor and be consistent with our invitation criteria.”

As for the former world number one, Ridley added, “In the last ten years, Greg Norman has only been here twice, and I believe one of those was as a commentator for Sirius Radio.”

“It really was to keep the focus on the competition.”

Ridley seems as if he wants to keep away from the confrontation between LIV and the PGA Tour, to concentrate purely on his tournament. However, he clearly believes that the friction is easing.

Does he see a time, maybe next year, when Norman might be invited back to the Masters? 

“It’s hard to answer that question because I don’t know where the world is going to be next year or two years from now,”he said before speaking in hugely positive tones.

Ridley then expanded on that comment.

“The tone has been really good here this week. I’ve noticed the players are interacting.”

“Last night at the Champions Dinner, I would not have known that anything was going on in the world of professional golf other than the norm.”

So I think, and I’m hopeful, that this week might get people thinking in a little bit different direction and things will change. So I would say never say never.”

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19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

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On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

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A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

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Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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