Prejudiced Greg Norman’s Old Wounds Reopened as New OWGR Move Lands a Harsh Blow

Another 54-hole tournament will receive world-ranking points. But it won’t be Greg Norman-fronted LIV Golf. Tartan Pro Tour, a Scotland-based league developed by former Open Champion Paul Lawrie in 2020, is the latest addition to OWGR-accredited golf leagues. In its official announcement, OWGR shared, “The Tartan Pro Tour has worked continuously with OWGR over the last 16 months, providing requested documentation and making necessary adjustments to further adhere to the long-standing OWGR eligibility and format criteria.” 

The Scottish tour started as a 36-hole tournament in its inaugural year, with six events being played. That increased to 54-hole tournaments in 2022 and 15 this season. The Farmfoods Aberdeen Golf Links Pro-Am kicked off this season. The prize fund ranges from $16K to $32K per tournament. 

The official feeder tour recognition came in 2022. The Order of Merit topper automatically earns a Challenge Tour card for the next season. “It is a great pleasure to welcome the Tartan Pro Tour to the family of OWGR Eligible Golf Tours,” said OWGR Chairman Peter Dawson. “The tour will play a significant role in providing competitive opportunities and career pathways for aspiring players.”. 

Notably, the Clutch Pro Tour, a developmental circuit in England, was added to the OWGR-recognized leagues three weeks ago. Like the Tartan Pro Tour, the English 54-hole league also works as a gateway for aspiring golfers. Unlike the Greg Norman-fronted league, both tours have a 36-hole cut. The Clutch Pro Tour has also hosted a qualifying tournament with a 36-hole cut.

Interestingly, both decisions came after Greg Norman withdrew LIV Golf’s OWGR appeal months ago. The Great White Shark felt LIV Golf was wrongfully denied its legitimate bid for the world ranking points. 

The many reasons behind Greg Norman’s bold decision

Norman explained in detail, with a few shots fired in different directions, that LIV had done everything that OWGR asked for. Last season, the breakaway side, funded by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, introduced a promotion tournament for aspiring players. Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe, Jinichiro Kozuma of Japan, and Kalle Samooja of Finland earned their spots after a thrilling playoff. Andy Ogletree earned a fourth spot after topping the International Series Order of Merit. 

Although Dawson emphasized that the OWGR board is “not at war with” LIV, Norman blasted the board for non-cooperation. “A resolution that protects the accuracy, credibility, and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists… Unfortunately, the OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”However, in a field of 54, four players amount to a turnover rate of nearly 8%, which OWGR deemed short of their criteria. 

Moreover, Norman’s comments also hinted that the shark didn’t want to settle for less. “Even if LIV Golf events were immediately awarded points, the OWGR system is designed such that it would be functionally impossible for you to regain positions close to the summit of the ranking, where so many of you belong.” 

Interestingly, Augusta National chairman, Fred Ridley, also dubbed LIV Golf as a ‘closed-shop’ league last month. Seth Waugh, the PGA of America CEO also said that Norman withdrew the application without any prior notice, despite the ongoing discussions with the board. However, 16 LIV Golfers are at the PGA Championship field, including the 2023 LIV Golf Player of the Year, Talor Gooch. PGA of America had also sent invitations to David Puig, Lucas Herbert, and Joaquin Niemann among others. 

Regardless, The moot point remained the same, the lack of turnover, recurring field, and limited opportunities to earn a spot in LIV Golf. The Clutch Pro Tour and the Tartan Tour separated themselves based on that.