The 2024 Masters off teed yesterday at Augusta, and for four days at least, there is peace in the fractured world of golf. While the LIV stable are donning the caps of their respective franchises (the Fireballs, Crushers GC etc etc), during this tournament, there is the illusion that the two halves of golf's civil war can co-exist on the same course. However it does seem like LIV CEO Greg Norman has made it his purpose as a spectator to annoy nemesis Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy and Norman have been the face and heel of golf's annoying drama these past 20 months, and while McIlroy seems far less interested now in being the face of the PGA Tour, Norman's reported behaviour yesterday suggests he still enjoys winding up the Co. Down man.
The Shark - who has played the tournament 23 times - is attending the 2024 Masters as a punter after being denied course access through official channels. His son confirmed this week that Norman had to purchase his tickets on the secondary market this week.
Yes. All this is true.
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. He had to be there anyway to support the LIV players.
It was an amazing experience;… pic.twitter.com/Yt5Uk9r7nG— Greg Norman Jr (@GregJrNorman) April 11, 2024
And while the job of supporting the thirteen LIV players at the Masters is no doubt taxing, Norman has also reportedly kept close watch on his old chum. Multiple reports from Round One of the Masters said that Norman was in the gallery at Augusta and following the group of McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.
Spotted in the gallery at Augusta: Greg Norman following Rory McIlroy 👀 (and Scottie and Xander)
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) April 11, 2024
SEE ALSO: Sergio Garcia Made Some Bizarre Claims Ahead Of First Round At The Masters
Norman's 'really awkward' behaviour toward Rory McIlroy at Masters
Chris 'Soly' Solomon of the No Laying Up podcast also was tracking McIlroy's group on Thursday and noted two instances of borderline unhinged behaviour from the Australian on the pod's Thursday Masters wrap-up.
The first instance happened on the fifth hole:
I had somebody come up and tell me yesterday, he's like, so Norman like was out there like being really awkward with Rory at the practice round yesterday, like walking up to him, on five like on the ropes, like trying to get his attention. Almost like being really weird. Sure enough, I show up on five and there's the Shark just like hanging out there on the ropes like almost desperately trying to get Rory's attention. He is turned around talking to people but as soon as Rory walks up he like is looking at him and staring at him awkwardly. And it was just the weirdest scene. It was just like Rory never looked over and it was awkward.
There was more alleged weirdness from Norman between the ninth and tenth hole.
Norman is standing by the putting green sees that that Rory's gonna walk up. So walks over to this rope just like stands there and has this like shit-eating, laughing grin on his face, Rory walks by, doesn't acknowledge him and then [Norman] just turns back around and goes back to the putting green. Like it made no sense for him to do that other than just to like fuck with Rory in some way. I, I honestly couldn't believe it. I, because I was making the turn towards 10 and I kind of walked by [Norman] and I was like, 'what is he doing?' And I went and followed him just to like see what he was doing and I was like, 'dude, what the hell?'
You can listen to the podcast in full below.
McIlroy was asked by reporters afterwards if he knew Norman was following his group. McIlroy said:
I did not. Didn't see him.
McIlroy shot a one-under round of 71, with a mix of the good and bad. His playing partner Scottie Scheffler, however, looked completely locked-in and in dangerous form.
We'll see what Norman gets up to on Day 2.
