It is well documented that Greg Norman has never seen eye-to-eye with the PGA Tour.
Norman actually tried to form a breakaway tour back in 1994 but he didn’t get enough support from his fellow PGA Tour players at the time.
The 70-year-old Australian got his wish 28 years later when he played a pioneering role in the formation of the LIV Golf league.
And since then, Norman has made numerous controversial statements about the PGA Tour, much to the anger of his rivals.
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“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
The Australian has never been someone who has held back when it comes down to speaking his mind.
However, in the interest of balance, it’s worth noting that Norman did something extremely commendable during the Greater Hartford Open way back in 1996.
It’s fair to say that he didn’t get the credit he deserved for doing it either.
Why Greg Norman was disqualified from a PGA Tour event in 1996
29 years ago, Norman headed into the Great Hartford Open as the world’s number one golfer.
In fact, he was in the midst of a 96-week spell at the top of the world rankings – a record at the time.
Norman won the event in 1995 after a dramatic head-to-head battle with Fuzzy Zoeller.
He undoubtedly would have fancied his chances of winning that week in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Norman led on day one after firing a sumptuous round of six-under par 64 but his tournament ended in disaster.
The two-time major champion was disqualified after his second round on Friday for using an ‘improperly labeled ball’.
At the time, golf balls had to have identical stamps to the ones which were approved by the USGA.
However, the stamps on Norman’s Maxfli balls were ever so slightly different.
Representatives from Maxfli made a telephone call to Norman on Friday night and in turn, he contracted officials from the USGA.
The Australian deserves big credit because he went to the officials himself and suggested that he might have been using an illegal golf ball.
What Greg Norman said about PGA Tour disqualification
Norman is nothing if he’s not straightforward and uncompromising with his answers to reporters.
After his disqualification from the Greater Hartford Open, the Australian spoke to the media.
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“You live by the rules of the game,” Norman said.
“It’s just an oversight, I think, by the research and development department of Maxfli, not understanding that the stamping has to be the identical stamping of the ball that has been approved by the USGA.
“You know, I’m sure there’s going to be a few disappointed people out there–and a few happy golfers.
“But the fact is, I could have easily won this golf tournament.”
Despite leading after round one, Norman fell five shots adrift after day two.
Like he said, he easily could have won the Greater Hartford Open, but he definitely would have had his work cut out, with a five-shot deficit to make up over the weekend.
‘The Shark’ would only win two more PGA Tour events after his disqualification in June 1996.
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