Current:Home > FinanceGreg Norman is haunting Augusta National. What patrons thought of him at the Masters -Thrive Financial Network
Greg Norman is haunting Augusta National. What patrons thought of him at the Masters
View
Date:2025-04-17 14:25:41
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Greg Norman dressed for golf.
On Friday, at the second round of the 88th Masters, Norman wore a white golf shirt with the LIV logo, black slacks, his signature straw hat, or as one patron put it, “the Crocodile Dundee deal,” and golf shoes with Softspikes. All that was missing was a glove, a yardage book, and, of course, an invitation as a past champion, something he never managed to achieve despite several near misses.
Instead, the CEO of LIV Golf was out walking in the gallery of Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open champion, or as another patron described him, “the captain of the Crushers,” and lending his support. He was joined by two younger women and a heavyset man in all black, who may have been providing security.
For those in the gallery, it was like seeing a ghost. Norman, 69, who first played in the Masters in 1981 and last attempted to win a Green Jacket in 2009, showed up this week with a ticket he bought on the open market, according to his son, Greg Jr., in a social media post. Norman said he was here to support the 13 golfers he’d paid handsomely to defect to the upstart LIV Golf backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Friday afternoon, Fred Couples offered to assist Norman next time around.
On Thursday, Norman stole away to watch Rory McIlroy, who is decidedly not in his camp, play a few holes.
On Friday, I was out watching DeChambeau, the first-round leader, on the second hole when I did a double take as I walked by the Shark. A patron nearby said to his friend that he wished he had a camera. “I loved him growing up, pre-Tiger, he was it,” he said. And now? “He’s with that LIV Tour. Not my thing,” he said.
As Norman watched DeChambeau putt at the third hole from behind the ropes off of the fourth tee with a young woman wearing his Shark logo on her cap, a patron wondered, “Is that his wife or daughter?” The correct answer was neither.
Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV Golf, walks down the fourth hole during the second round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Norman has become persona non grata within much of the golf world. One patron – at least – felt his pain: “They should give him a pass,” he said. “Don’t treat him like some pariah.”
Nick Piastowski of Golf.com picked up the scent of Norman at the practice putting green and had followed him from the get-go. At one point, Norman tapped Piastowski on the back and called him, “my reporter friend,” and allowed Piastowski to ask a few questions. What did he learn? Norman said this was the first time he’d ever eaten a green-wrapped Masters sandwich. The kind? Ham and cheese.
Norman clapped hands with 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland on his way to the fifth tee. Yet another patron recognized Norman, pointing him out to his friend but his wife said she was far more impressed with seeing country singer Kenny Chesney and NFL QB Josh Allen. Another understanding patron admitted to his friend that “if you put a check that big in front of me, I’d sell my soul to the Saudis too.” His friend shook his head in agreement. "So much stinking money. How do you say no?"
That's something Norman has counted on as he's picked off six past Masters champions. He shook hands with a few fathers and sons who approached him but mostly kept to himself. Somewhere near the crossing from the fifth hole to the sixth tee, Norman disappeared, like a ghost, still haunting the Masters and the world of professional golf.
veryGood! (169)
Related
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Firefighter sets record for longest and fastest run while set on fire
- Chris Eubanks, unlikely Wimbledon star, on surreal, whirlwind tournament experience
- How the Ukraine Conflict Looms as a Turning Point in Russia’s Uneasy Energy Relationship with the European Union
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Latest on Ukraine: EU just banned Russian diesel and other oil products (Feb. 6)
- Warming Trends: Best-Smelling Vegan Burgers, the Benefits of Short Buildings and Better Habitats for Pollinators
- Extreme heat exceeding 110 degrees expected to hit Southwestern U.S.
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Illinois and Ohio Bribery Scandals Show the Perils of Mixing Utilities and Politics
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Driver hits, kills pedestrian while fleeing from Secret Service near White House, officials say
- Urging Biden to Stop Line 3, Indigenous-Led Resistance Camps Ramp Up Efforts to Slow Construction
- Can Rights of Nature Laws Make a Difference? In Ecuador, They Already Are
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Texas woman fatally shot in head during road rage incident
- See the Cast of Camp Rock, Then & Now
- Southwest's COO will tell senators 'we messed up' over the holiday travel meltdown
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
We're Drunk in Love With Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Rare Date Night in Paris
Biden Cancels Keystone XL, Halts Drilling in Arctic Refuge on Day One, Signaling a Larger Shift Away From Fossil Fuels
We asked the new AI to do some simple rocket science. It crashed and burned
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Warming Trends: Shakespeare, Dogs and Climate Change on British TV; Less Crowded Hiking Trails; and Toilet Paper Flunks Out
Britney Spears Says She Visited With Sister Jamie Lynn Spears After Rocky Relationship
In the Arctic, Less Sea Ice and More Snow on Land Are Pushing Cold Extremes to Eastern North America