Norman's Request for Special Exemption to the Open Championship Denied

[DaveP043]

Greg Norman’s request for exemption into 150th British Open denied

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Past champions are only exempt into the championship until age 60.

Is this because he's 7 years past the age where previous champions get to play automatically, or because of his involvement with the  LIV Series?

[djfajt71]

35 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

Greg Norman’s request for exemption into 150th British Open denied

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Past champions are only exempt into the championship until age 60.

Is this because he's 7 years past the age where previous champions get to play automatically, or because of his involvement with the  LIV Series?

In 2015, didn't Tom Watson play at the age of 65?

[DaveP043]

1 minute ago, djfajt71 said:

In 2015, didn't Tom Watson play at the age of 65?

Yeah, that's included in the article, he was granted a special exemption, 5-time champ, play one more time at the Old Course.  Mark Calcavecchia also got on in 2021, at age 61, after what would have been his last exempt year's Open was cancelled in 2020. 

 

[DeadMan]

He can always go qualify. Seems like the right thing to do if he really wants to play in this.

[NM Golf]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

Greg Norman’s request for exemption into 150th British Open denied

---

Past champions are only exempt into the championship until age 60.

Is this because he's 7 years past the age where previous champions get to play automatically, or because of his involvement with the  LIV Series?

I think it's a little of both. I mean they are denying him due to age, and they're not making an exception due to the LIV series IMHO. At the very least his involvement is doing him no favors, especially with the R&A. 

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, DeadMan said:

He can always go qualify. Seems like the right thing to do if he really wants to play in this.

Totally separate from the R&As reasons, I expect the Norman made this public so he can claim that he's being ostracized due to his association with the  other tour.  I'd bet that he won't take the risk of failing to qualify.  

[boogielicious]

I think they excluded him because he’s an insufferable arse. 

[KMP]

3 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I think they excluded him because he’s an insufferable arse. 

Thanks for breaking the ice Boog...I hesitated to say he is a tremendous tool.

[Vinsk]

4 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

Totally separate from the R&As reasons, I expect the Norman made this public so he can claim that he's being ostracized due to his association with the  other tour.  I'd bet that he won't take the risk of failing to qualify.  

He’s already said he won’t try to qualify.

[ChetlovesMer]

5 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I think they excluded him because he’s an insufferable arse. 

I don't actually know the answer. But this statement seems to ring true.

[iacas]

Age.

Occam's Razor.

Doesn't mean they didn't take extra delight in denying him, but… age.

[Osbourne]

Mark Calcavecchia is playing in 2022 at St Andrews at the age of 62.  The cut off point for past champions is really up to aged 60 can play.

Calcavecchia's last Open should have been at Royal St George's in 2020.  That was cancelled due to Covid.  His 'back surgery' recovery stopped him from playing in 2021.

He wrote a letter to the R&A in April 2021 asking the 'Open Committee' to consider letting him play at St Andrews 2022.  The R&A got quickly back to him saying ; "Let us bring it before the Championship Committee."  A few weeks later, Calcavecchia got an email saying ; "The decision by the 25 Championship Committee members was unanimous - we'd love to have you play your last Open at St Andrews.  We love to take care of our past champions."

So, Calcavecchia at age 62 will play at St Andrews July 2022.

His win was at Troon in 1989 - a 4 hole play off with Greg Norman and Wayne Grady.

How is Calcavecchia's back in 2022?

It will be great to see him at St Andrews.  I'm hoping he can get through the cut and play all 4 days.

No Norman though.  Although it would have been nice to see Norman play.....

Augusta Masters allow any past Champion to play.

Maybe British Open should increase age restriction to 65 or even 70 can play?  It would be great to see more past champions in the field.

Good luck 2022 Mark Calcavecchia.        

[dennyjones]

13 hours ago, Osbourne said:

Maybe British Open should increase age restriction to 65 or even 70 can play?  It would be great to see more past champions in the field.

While I understand where you are coming from, I don't believe anyone wants to see a 65/70 yr old try to compete with Rory or Dustin.   

[Osbourne]

2 hours ago, dennyjones said:

While I understand where you are coming from, I don't believe anyone wants to see a 65/70 yr old try to compete with Rory or Dustin.   

Whilst past champions, aged up to 60 only, can play at the British Open.  There appears to be no age restriction at the Masters or USPGA?

Hence at the US PGA, starting today, in the field are :

John Daly aged 56 starting at 1000/1.  Shaun Micheel aged 53 starting at 1500/1.  Rich Beem aged 51 starting at 1500/1.  Padraig Harrington aged 50 starting at 350/1.  Yang Yong-eun aged 50 starting at 1000/1.  Jason Dufner aged 45 starting at 500/1 and Martin Kaymer aged 37 starting at 300/1.

I'm sure Mark Calcavecchia playing in the 2022 British Open at St Andrews on a 'special exemption' due to back surgery, aged 62, will take a big gallery with him on the 1st 2 days.  I will be following him.

Greg Norman would have taken a massive gallery with him if he had played at St Andrews 2022 aged 67.  In a large starting field, to see past champions playing with the current professionals is an interesting study for the fans.  A 53 year old Greg Norman almost won the British Open at Birkdale in 2008.  He finished 3rd behind only Harrington and Poulter.  Norman was a 'special player,' he would of almost definitely have been able to beat the cut line in 2022 aged 67 - if he was allowed to play..... 

In 1988 at Royal Lytham and St Annes I saw Tony Jacklin playing in the British open aged 44, 19 years after winning at the same course in 1969.  It was an interesting study.  He did not make the cut, he scored 80, 79 for +17, but the gallery he took with him over the 1st 2 days, was as big as for any of the other 1988 leading professionals.

Could John Daly, aged 56, win the 2022 USPGA starting at 1000 /1? 

[turtleback]

You don't get to lay in bed with murderous human rights abusers and then expect to get a favor from the very golf establishment you are trying to disrupt with said bed partner.

[Osbourne]

1 hour ago, turtleback said:

You don't get to lay in bed with murderous human rights abusers and then expect to get a favor from the very golf establishment you are trying to disrupt with said bed partner.

The LIV World Golf Tour would have occurred without 'The Shark.'  Rumour has it that LIV wanted 'The Bear' as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer), but 'The Bear' would not do it.  So 'The Shark' was 1st reserve!

1st LIV World Golf Tour tournament is in UK, London, Centurion Club, starting Thursday 9 - 11 June.  Followed by 4 LIV tournaments in the US - Portland, Bedminster, Boston and Chicago.  Then 1 LIV tournament in Thailand (Bangkok).  Then 1 LIV tournament in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah).  Then back to the US (Miami) for the Team Event climax tournament.

Mickelson is obviously going to be the 'Poster Player' for the LIV.  It is thought that 15 of the worlds top golfers have already committed to the LIV tournaments.  Probably Garcia and Westwood?  Who else from the UPGA Tour is coming over to play in the LIV tournament in London on 9 - 11 June?  Anyone know?

I've got tickets for all 3 days.

I wonder if 'The Shark' will play?  He was always my favourite, what a great player he was. 

[Osbourne]

9 hours ago, Osbourne said:

The LIV World Golf Tour would have occurred without 'The Shark.'  Rumour has it that LIV wanted 'The Bear' as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer), but 'The Bear' would not do it.  So 'The Shark' was 1st reserve!

1st LIV World Golf Tour tournament is in UK, London, Centurion Club, starting Thursday 9 - 11 June.  Followed by 4 LIV tournaments in the US - Portland, Bedminster, Boston and Chicago.  Then 1 LIV tournament in Thailand (Bangkok).  Then 1 LIV tournament in Saudi Arabia (Jeddah).  Then back to the US (Miami) for the Team Event climax tournament.

Mickelson is obviously going to be the 'Poster Player' for the LIV.  It is thought that 15 of the worlds top golfers have already committed to the LIV tournaments.  Probably Garcia and Westwood?  Who else from the UPGA Tour is coming over to play in the LIV tournament in London on 9 - 11 June?  Anyone know?

I've got tickets for all 3 days.

I wonder if 'The Shark' will play?  He was always my favourite, what a great player he was. 

Brad Faxon 'sounding off' about Phil Mickelson on Sky Sports ahead of the opening round at Southern Hills!

Mickelson is simply back home practicing for the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener in the UK, London, Centurion Club, starting Thursday 9 June - the week before the US Open!

Mickelson, along with other big names from the USPGA Tour, will be playing in all 8 events on the LIV Golf Invitational Series Schedule - 1 in the UK, 5 in the US, 1 in Thailand and 1 in Saudi Arabia.

Who is signed up to play at the Centurion Club, UK for the LIV Series opener?  Tiger should play - the events are only over 54 holes.  Tiger was 'limping' yesterday, badly.  He is on 'borrowed time' at USPGA events over 72 holes.  He should get onto Greg Norman's LIV Tour.  Tiger is struggling to get through the 'cut line' at Southern Hills.

Could 'Tiger' be turning up at Centurion Club?  I wonder.  What 'fee' would LIV pay him to be there.....

LIV would probably let 'Tiger' ride in a cart also.....  

[iacas]

This is off topic here. And stop ‘quoting’ everything.

And Tiger isn’t playing a LIV event.