Norman fumes at Ryder Cup shutout
Source: AFP |
September 1, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
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FORMER double British Open winner Greg Norman feels insulted after being told to stay away to hear Jose Maria Olazabal announcing his two European Team wildcard picks.
Norman was on hand at Gleneagles on Monday to host a Johnnie Walker-sponsored clinic prior to making his way to Switzerland and this week's European Masters. Norman found himself in the hotel about the same time Olazabel, his friend and colleague of 30-years, was confirming Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts as his two Medinah picks.
Norman is an ambassador for Omega whereas Swiss rival Rolex is one of five main sponsors, including Johnnie Walker, of the European Ryder Cup Team.
It's for this reason the champion Australian, who also spent more than 300 weeks at World No. 1, was told in no uncertain terms his presence was not welcome at the announcement.
And it's the second time in recent weeks Norman says he's been snubbed by Rolex after he was informed he was not welcome to participate in the British Senior Open Pro-Am, and on the Turnberry course where he had stormed to a five shot success in the 1986 Open.
"It's a long story but Rolex just wouldn't allow me to be present in the room," said Norman. "What was annoying is that Jose Maria and I have been mates for 30 years, and besides he later came up to me to apologize for what happened.
"He just wanted me to know that it wasn't him who didn't want me in the press conference. Of course, I was in Scotland for Johnnie Walker and they're one of the Ryder Cup and Tour sponsors, so it's a deep and ugly story."
Norman was told he was not welcome to tee-up on July 25th ahead of the Turnberry event known officially as 'The Senior Open presented by Rolex'. "It would be too much energy to go into it but Rolex actually had me removed from the Pro-Am, so that's when it all started," he said. "I'm disgusted by it all and it's never ever happened before in my entire life."
Norman was on hand at Gleneagles on Monday to host a Johnnie Walker-sponsored clinic prior to making his way to Switzerland and this week's European Masters. Norman found himself in the hotel about the same time Olazabel, his friend and colleague of 30-years, was confirming Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts as his two Medinah picks.
Norman is an ambassador for Omega whereas Swiss rival Rolex is one of five main sponsors, including Johnnie Walker, of the European Ryder Cup Team.
It's for this reason the champion Australian, who also spent more than 300 weeks at World No. 1, was told in no uncertain terms his presence was not welcome at the announcement.
And it's the second time in recent weeks Norman says he's been snubbed by Rolex after he was informed he was not welcome to participate in the British Senior Open Pro-Am, and on the Turnberry course where he had stormed to a five shot success in the 1986 Open.
"It's a long story but Rolex just wouldn't allow me to be present in the room," said Norman. "What was annoying is that Jose Maria and I have been mates for 30 years, and besides he later came up to me to apologize for what happened.
"He just wanted me to know that it wasn't him who didn't want me in the press conference. Of course, I was in Scotland for Johnnie Walker and they're one of the Ryder Cup and Tour sponsors, so it's a deep and ugly story."
Norman was told he was not welcome to tee-up on July 25th ahead of the Turnberry event known officially as 'The Senior Open presented by Rolex'. "It would be too much energy to go into it but Rolex actually had me removed from the Pro-Am, so that's when it all started," he said. "I'm disgusted by it all and it's never ever happened before in my entire life."
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