Tiger Woods has waded into the PGA Tour’s feud with the controversial LIV Golf Series to reiterate his opposition to the Saudi-backed breakaway tour, saying that those who joined “have turned their back” on what made them in golf.
Unlike the Scottish Open, managed by the DP World Tour, the LIV Golf defectors have been permitted to play at The Open this week while the major fallout in the sport continues to make headlines.
Speaking at St Andrews ahead of the 150th Open Championship, the 15-time major winner said he cannot understand why players like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka have walked away from the PGA Tour after what it has done for their careers.
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“What they've done is turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position.”
The PGA Tour has suspended all of the players who have taken part in the two LIV Golf events in London and Portland.
Woods also went on to say that he supported the R&A’s decision not to invite LIV Golf frontman Greg Norman, a two-time champion, to the Champions’ Dinner at St Andrews because of his role as the divisive tour’s CEO.
"Greg has done some things that I don't think is in the best interest of our game, and we're coming back to probably the most historic and traditional place in our sport. I believe it's the right thing."
The R&A detailed the reason for why Norman wasn’t allowed to attend by saying: "The 150th Open is an extremely important milestone for golf and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the Championship and its heritage.
“Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend."
Norman responded by calling the decision “petty.”
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