Greg Norman was one of the finest golfers of his generation and he achieved huge success at The Players Championship throughout his career.
Norman ran away with The Players Championship title in 1994 and recorded four top-5 finishes during an eight-year stretch from the late-1980s to the mid-1990s.
The Australian reigned supreme at TPC Sawgrass 32 years ago after shooting rounds of 63, 67, 67, and 67 to beat Fuzzy Zoeller by four strokes.
What do you make of Brandel Chamblee’s comments on The Players Championship?
Chamblee raised some eyebrows with his comments on The Players…
“In every single way that a metric could be used to measure whether something is a major, the Players, to me, stands alone and above all the other four major championships as not just a major. It is in my estimation, the best major.“
Sadly, Norman tarnished his legacy by spearheading the formation of LIV Golf three decades after that Players Championship win.
There were accusations made that Norman helped create LIV Golf to destroy the PGA Tour, but the Shark has completely rejected those claims.
He did try to form a breakaway Tour in 1994, but didn’t receive enough support from his fellow PGA Tour players.
Norman has always been incredibly outspoken and headstrong in his beliefs. So who better to ask about the current debate pertaining to whether the Players Championship should become golf’s fifth major?
Greg Norman responds to Brandel Chamblee’s Players Championship claim
Brandel Chamblee’s claim about The Players Championship last week shocked everyone.
When you look at the Players Championship, with all due respect to the other four major championships, it is the best field in golf. It is the deepest field in golf,“ the former PGA Tour pro insisted.
“And by virtue of the fact that only one person in its 50 year history has managed to successfully defend it, I would argue that it is the hardest major championship to win.
“All the others have had far surpassing numbers of those successfully defending it.
“So, especially since it moved to TPC Sawgrass, which, in my estimation, save one hole, is perhaps arguably the best golf course that they play a major championship on from a shot value perspective.
“You can talk about aesthetics all you want, risk-reward holes, certainly, but I’m talking about a shot value standpoint.
“You cannot touch TPC Sawgrass.
“So in every single way that a metric could be used to measure whether something is a major, the Players, to me, stands alone and above all the other four major championships as not just a major. It is in my estimation, the best major.“
The vast majority of golf fans, players and pundits alike thought Chamblee’s comments were utterly ridiculous at the time.
But does Norman agree?
Greg Norman’s strong Players Championship verdict
The two-time major champion was asked by Essentially Sports whether he believes The Players should become golf’s fifth major championship.
How will history reflect on Greg Norman?
Has golf's great disruptor been vindicated?
“For him to try and trivialise what the greats before him did to grow and create what the PGA Tour is today is an absolute disgrace. You should hang your head in shame, Shark.”
Wayne Grady
“Let me just sum this up with a couple of words. First of all, Greg Norman is an icon in the game of golf. He’s a great player. We’ve been friends for a long time, and regardless of what happens, he’s going to remain a friend. Unfortunately, he and I just don’t see eye to eye in what’s going on [with LIV]. I’ll basically leave it at that.”
Jack Nicklaus
“Greg needs to go; he needs to exit stage left. He’s made his mark but I think now is the right time to say you’ve got this thing off the ground but no one’s going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences.”
Rory McIlroy
“Negative, mate,“ Norman exclaimed.
“There are only 4 majors. And back in my day, before the TPC Championship, they were calling for the Australian Open to be the 5th. Just like tennis slams.”
Just like everyone else, apart from Chamblee of course, Norman firmly believes there should only be four major championships.
Chamblee’s claim was one of his most bizarre offerings in recent years.
One thing’s for sure, The Players Championship does not have the strongest field in the game anymore, without the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm taking part.
However, The Players is iconic in its own right. It has a strong identity and should remain exactly what it is.
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