World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman will skip the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout tournament in December after he was “asked not to attend” the Naples event he helped create more than three decades ago.
The LIV Golf commissioner took to social media to share the news, a request he implied was a direct consequence of his involvement with the disruptive Saudi-backed tour he now heads.
LIV Golf, majority-funded by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund, has lured several high-profile PGA Tour stars with big-money contracts, including Australians Cam Smith and Marc Leishman, and American superstars Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
Norman confirmed via Instagram that he was asked not to attend the tournament he has hosted and played in every year since its inception in 1989.
“Sadly, after 33 consecutive years of playing in and hosting every Shootout tournament – a co-sanctioned PGA Tour event – since I founded it in 1989, this year I have been asked not to attend,” Norman wrote.
“Why one might ask? Perhaps it is because I am helping to give golf a new heartbeat, creating new value and delivering a new product that is loved by players, fans and broadcasters alike. And in doing so, finally giving players their rights as independent contractors to benefit from their performance and brand. In some people’s mind this is too disruptive and evolution is perceived as a bad thing. I disagree – competition breeds excellence.
“Change is good. Evolution and innovation of the professional golf product has been needed for decades – just ask the next generation of golf fans. Over its lifetime, the @qbeshootout tournament has raised in excess of $15 million for well-deserving charities like @curesearch, who is on an important mission to eradicate childhood cancer.
“These charities, their missions and the financial benefits they receive from Shootout tournament donations each year is of the utmost importance to me and my family. As such, I have decided not to attend this year’s event so the focus can remain on the missions at hand.
“To the Shootout charities, the City of Naples and to all of the incredible volunteers, corporate sponsors, fans and Shootout staff, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued good work and support. I will miss seeing you all this year but I will certainly be there in spirit.”
QBE Shootout tournament director Rob Hartman told Golfweek the decision for Norman not to attend was mutual.
“As we got close, ultimately the decision was made that he was going to step back and really let the focus remain on our tremendous charitable partners,” Hartman said.
“When he started this event 34 years ago, it was all about charity then and it’s all about charity now. Greg just made the decision that he didn’t want anything to distract from that.”
It comes nine weeks after Norman, who won the Open Championship in 1986 and 1993, was asked by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club not to attend a celebration of past champions at the 150th Open at St Andrews in July.
The four-hole Monday night event was attended by past Open winners, including Tiger Woods, Lee Trevino and Rory McIlroy. Norman called the decision “petty”.
