The Champions dinner is one of the most celebrated traditions of the Masters Tournament. It is the perfect celebration of golf royalty with the most exclusive guest list on the preceding Tuesday before the Tournament. This year Scottie Scheffler hosted a wonderful dinner. But guess what? A very prominent name was missing from the guest list – LIV Golf’s CEO, Greg Norman. The reason has been revealed now, and the golf world has reacted.

Why did Greg Norman not attend the Champions Dinner?

Augusta National chairman, Fred Ridley said LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman was not invited to the 2023 Masters. And the reason was to “keep the focus on the competition.”

GOLF.com has posted his statement on Instagram explaining why Norman was not invited. It was indeed an embarrassment for ‘the shark.’

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Ridley attended a pre-tournament news conference Wednesday and said, “The primary issue and the driver there is that I want the focus this week to be on the Masters competition.” This week all the eyes must be on the great players that are participating. Therefore, they decided to honor and be consistent with their invitation criteria for the Champions Dinner. However, he also pointed out the fact that “in the last ten years, Greg Norman has only been here twice.” And one of those was as a commentator for Sirius Radio.

Norman played on the PGA Tour for 14 years. But sadly, he could not win a green jacket during his professional golf career. And since he became the CEO of LIV Golf, things have not been going in his favor. Norman was also not invited to the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews in 2022. And the reason was the same as Ridley’s – It would cause distractions.

The golf world reacted to LIV CEO’s absence

The golf world has been divided since LIV Golf came into the picture. The more players left PGA Tour, the more criticism followed for the Saudi-backed Tour, which still continues. Fans agreed with Ridley’s decision.

They said, “Gotta earn the invitation not demand it,” and “Real missed opportunity Fred. Should have added a “plus, he never won the Masters.”, followed by, “I mean that’s pretty fair,” and “Good call. The less Saudi money, the better.”

More comments followed in agreement. “Greg Norman, by no guidelines of which I am aware, qualifies for an invitation to The Masters – and HE knows that!!” And another followed, “I’m curious why he would be invited anyway? Not as a player or former champion so in what other capacity?” and “He doesn’t own a Green Jacket…”

However, a fan pointed to the controversy and said, “Should’ve just invited him, the moment it was open for LIV players it was open season. It’s causes more controversy by NOT inviting him 👀”

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Do you think the decision to not invite Norman was right? Please share your views in the comments below.