Why Greg Norman was angry at the PGA Tour after making agreement with Fred Couples in Australia 

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The PGA Tour and Greg Norman aren’t exactly on the best of terms.

When Greg Norman became the CEO of LIV Golf, he effectively declared war on the PGA Tour by helping to create a rival league. That started an ongoing saga between the two tours, which has transcended Norman’s tenure as CEO. 

But hostilities between the tour and Norman go back way further than that. In 2013, the two-time major winner publicly slammed the PGA Tour for a decision which he described as “extremely disappointing”.

And what angered the Australian even more was that the decision went against an agreement he had made with Fred Couples in his Melbourne after the Presidents Cup. 

Greg Norman slammed the PGA Tour’s Presidents Cup decision

In 2011, Norman and Couples faced off as Presidents Cup captains for the second time. Norman had criticized Couples’ selection of Tiger Woods over Keegan Bradley before the event, but Woods sank the winning putt in Melbourne to give Team USA the victory. 

Norman later claimed that he and Couples had agreed to run it back as captains in 2013, but Norman was never given that opportunity. Instead, Nick Price was given the role, and Norman was not happy with that decision.

He said, “Freddie [Couples] came to me right after the Presidents Cup in Australia and said, ‘I’ll do it again if you do it again’. I said, ‘OK, I’m in.’ So, yeah, it came as a big surprise to me to get a phone call at late stages out of the blue from [PGA Tour commissioner] Tim [Finchem].

“Let’s just say it’s disappointing. Extremely disappointing.”

Rolex, a sponsor of the PGA Tour, released a limited-edition commemorative watch in honour of Price’s success on the tour in 1996, and Norman had heard rumours that Price’s connection with the brand played a part in his selection as captain.

Norman said, “I know that Rolex is a corporate partner of the PGA Tour and there’s been some speculation I’ve heard that that was the reason why. If that’s right, then all I can say is that it’s really pathetic.”

The Australian continued, “The other sad part about it is that nobody has reached out to me or any of my past team (Frank Nobilo and Tim Clark) and asked us what we thought would be good changes to make, or ideas we might have had about the Presidents Cup. We were just completely cut off.

“Not one of the team I had is on the International team for this year. It really doesn’t make a lot of sense because there is experience there. I know other people want a shot at it, but why wouldn’t you want to hear the opinions of those who came before you?

“My role is done with the Presidents Cup. That’s been made clear. Is it sad? Well, yes, I suppose because I wanted to win it for the boys, or I should say I wanted them to win it for themselves, but there’s no regrets. I know I gave it my best shot.”

Fred Couples reacts to Nick Price’s selection as Presidents Cup captain

While Norman seemed to think his conversation with Couples was as good as signing a contract, Couples clearly didn’t put the same level of importance on what appeared to be a flippant statement after his Presidents Cup win in 2011.

He made no mention of it when speaking about Price being named captain instead of Norman.

When the pair were announced as captains, the American said, “It’s an amazing honor to be selected to serve as U.S. Team captain again in 2013. It’s safe to say that The Presidents Cup has been a huge part of my career and my life, from playing in four events to my experiences in 2009 and 2011 as captain.

“Those memories are unforgettable, and I feel extremely fortunate to get another chance to be a part of The Presidents Cup when we go for a third-straight victory, this time at Muirfield Village Golf Club, which is one of my favorite venues.

“And congrats to Nick on his selection as International team captain. He’s a great friend, and I know he’ll also be a great leader.”

Team USA have won every Presidents Cup since 2005, but Price came closer to victory than Norman ever did during his tenure as captain. He lost by three points in 2013, and by only one point on his third attempt in 2017 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Korea.

Despite Norman’s anger, it seems Price was the right choice for the International Team.