Greg Norman 'humbled' and 'moved' by this week's Masters experience

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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Greg Norman posted an emotional tribute to the Masters Tournament on social media after spending a few days at Augusta National as a patron.

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The LIV Golf boss, who has positioned himself at the centre of the ongoing battle for the future of the professional men’s game, was onsite at the sport’s most treasured tournament and left with a good taste in his mouth, and not just from the famous sandwiches and Georgia peach ice cream.

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“The few days I spent at Augusta walking for the first time ever behind the ropes, embedded in the heartbeat of golf — the patrons — were extremely powerful and poignant,” Norman wrote.

“Yes, had my first Ham Cheese sandwich and Peach ice cream … but most importantly to the patrons of @themasters thank you for your unanimous support.”

Postmedia spotted the unmistakable Norman dressed in black golf shirt and black trademark straw hat greeting fans near the first tee during Thursday’s opening round.

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“It was humbling, moving and I was taken back by your words of encouragement: ‘thank you for what you have done for golf,’ ‘don’t stop,’ Love LIV’ and the one that got to me personally and emotionally, ‘welcome back,’ ” he wrote.

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Norman was famously not welcome at last year’s tournament, the first Masters held since LIV Golf began play. Norman never won a green jacket, coming painfully close numerous times, so there was not an expectation or precedent to invite the former world No. 1 golfer and sports icon, but that didn’t stop Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley from addressing Norman’s absence last year.

“We did not extend an invitation to Mr. Norman,” Ridley said at the time. “The primary issue and the driver there is that I want the focus this week to be on the Masters competition, on the great players that are participating, the greatest players in the world.”

This year, Norman was first spotted during Wednesday’s practice round, where he was seen meeting fans and chatting with players including fellow Aussie Min Woo Lee. The Shark was also seen Thursday and Friday, keeping tabs on the 13 LIV golfers in the field.

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Norman’s son Greg Jr. took to social media on Thursday to confirm reports that his famous father had to buy a scalped ticket to attend the tournament.

Yes. All this is true,” Norman Jr. posted on X. “My dad paid for a ticket on the secondary market to attend the Masters as a patron. He was denied one directly after going through the proper professional channels.”

The 69-year-old Norman is the commissioner and CEO of LIV Golf.

“My right hand is sore from shaking hands with each and every one of you as well as th hugs given to so many,” Norman wrote. “Golf is golf and on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National healthy competition (which is the bedrock of USA) resonated. Thank you all for the 3 days of incredible and touching memories!

“And to the players contending the final round today, enjoy the purity of the game ahead, focus and play hard. Golf is always the winner.”

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