Amen: Shark Refuses To Take Up An Open Championship Spot

Greg Norman has told the BBC he's passing up his final year of Open Championship eligibility because he doesn't practice anymore and even more refreshingly, does not want to take an opportunity away from a younger player.

While we never want to see geezer champions pass up opportunities they are eligible for, the PGA Tour has seen its share of hanger-on types taking up spots. So it's refreshing to hear someone recognize their limitations.

The full interview is here, or Keely Levins has this summary of Norman's key reasons for not turning up at St. Andrews for one last bridge wave.

"I'm not going to walk up to the first tee and feel like I'm taking the space of a young kid who could learn a heck of a lot more from it. I don't believe in doing that. I think it's so unfair to do that."

Comments

[Convert]

It is surprising that a known snarker of all things Norman would actually believe that "the living brand" is not playing for a noble reason.

This being his last year of eligibility he doesn't want to compete or match scores with Watson's farewell tour.

Eligibility earned is just that: Eligibility earned.

[thusgone]

we get on norman for a lot of things here, but i think this is a class move by him and i applaud it.

[Center Cut]

+ 1 Good for him.

[AkronGolfMan]

I know I'm in the minority, but I always like the farewells. First of all, the player has earned it on past merit. Who doesn't think that Jack's birdie on his final hole at St. Andrews wasn't good for golf? Norman is an all-time great who deserved the ovation on the Swilcan Bridge.

[Michael]

Hmmm. But you remember this though right?
http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2014/3/17/great-white-shark-has-played-his-last-open-championship-due.html

"If you want the truth, I’ve played in my last Open and it’s all down to the way the Royal and Ancient and the European Tour have handled my whole situation."

[Press Agent]

Good catch Michael.
Sorry, but I'm not so quick to jump on the bandwagon and say "class move" Norman. Combined with this grudge over the watches, he probably figures when the world sees him play poorly or choke and cough up another win, it hurts the living brand.

[Jock]

It's a dig at Faldo.

[AG]

He mistakenly scheduled his statue unveiling for the same weekend.

[Keith - NYC]

Schedule conflict....will be in Wisconsin representing Stihl in the hot saw event at LumberJack Championships

[Chico]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Good move.

[bs]

Player and Palmer would have done well to adopt a similar stance and not clutter up endless Opens and Masters with embarrassing records for missed cuts and the like.

[Joe Smails]

I am with Chico.

[PABoy]

Classy would be to show up and play in the four hole event leading up to the tournament proper and for Champions Diner.

[P-Dog]

Don't forget boys he almost won the thing just a few years back. Personally I don't mind when an older player uses their earned eligibility to play, even when they are a bit past prime. Just having them around an event is good for golf and better yet for some of the younger lads to learn how a professional behaves. Don't look at it like its a spot taken from a young upstart because the spot was never thiers to have, until someone like Greg pulls out, at which point it was given to them.
How many letters of gratitude do you think get sent by a young pro when they do get in from a withdrawal by veteran classy enough to recognize he's done? Most of um probably complain they didn't get ample preparation.