Gary Player believes Greg Norman’s ‘vendetta’ against the PGA Tour is the reason behind the Australian wanting to crush the US-based circuit.
Back in 1994, Norman unveiled plans for a World Golf Tour as he felt that golf needed more of a world presence. At the time, the top five players in the world (Nick Price, Norman, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal) were all born outside the States.
But the PGA Tour, then headed by Tim Finchem, reacted to the threat by sending a memo to its players warning that anyone who took part in a World Tour event would be suspended.
“Greg has basically had a vendetta against the PGA Tour for a long time,” said Player.
“He wanted to start a world tour [in the nineties] and was deprived of it. He’s been a bit bitter about that. I get on very well with Greg but I think he has let it creep into some of these decisions, which I think is a pity.”
Player, a former Wordwide Golf columnist, also explained why he believes those who defected should never be allowed back to the PGA Tour.“
“I don’t blame those who went,” he said.
“Most who left do not believe they can win on the regular tour any more.
“Louis Oosthuizen is probably the finest gentleman I’ve met in golf and he’s never won a tournament in America, so of course he’s going to take their money. Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, I was surprised they took the money but that’s their choice.
“But I believe once you’ve decided that’s your tour, you should not be allowed to come back and play regular tournaments.
“I don’t like 54-hole tournaments, nor the team side of it. Personally, I think you shouldn’t be allowed to dress in shorts either but the freedom to choose is important.
“The thing that irks me is it’s become a damn war. Can’t stand it.’
