I’m a two-time Open champion worth $400million who dated Sue Barker… now the world of golf hates me

GREG NORMAN may be one of the most recognisable faces on golf’s famous greens – but it does not mean he is one of the most popular.

During his playing career, which spanned from 1975-2009, the Australian won two major Open Championships.

Greg Norman at Wimbledon this yearRex

Sue Barker briefly dates Greg NormanRex

Getty

Tiger Woods and Greg Norman in 2011[/caption]

And off the course he also had a brief relationship with Sue Barker after the tennis player split up with Syd Ball.

The former champion has a reported net worth of $400million (£310m) having invested in real estate, golf-inspired sportswear and even WINE.

More recently, Norman has been at the forefront of the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf after being named CEO in 2022.

It did not help his relationships and reputation, which was already in tatters amongst the sport’s biggest stars.

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods included, despite Norman’s history dating back to when the American icon was just a teenager.

Both called for Norman to LEAVE his role as LIV Golf chief amid tensions with the PGA Tour.

Asked last whether LIV and golf’s traditional tours can co-exist, Woods said: “Not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening.”

Just six months later, the PGA Tour announced a merger with LIV Golf.

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Woods had initially turned down $800MILLION to join LIV Golf and despite the recent merger, do not expect his relationship with Norman to be mended.

Norman told Men’s Health in 2019: “Maybe Tiger just dislikes me. I have no idea. I’ve never had a conversation with him about it.”

McIlroy also embarked on a public war of words who Norman, who accused the Nothern Irishman of being “brainwashed by the PGA Tour.”

In response, McIlroy said: “I’m like, ‘For f*** sake!’ We’ve had this really nice back-and-forth and he says that about me.

“I thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to make it my business now to be as much of a pain in his a*** as possible.’”

Even ex-golfer-turned social media influencer Paige Spiranac has aimed digs at Norman.

She reacted to one post of the Aussie walking his dog in swimming shorts on the beach where a huge bulge was on display.

Spiranac commented: “Greg “the shark” Norman. More like hammerhead shark.”

As the PGA and LIV circuits looks to come together at the end of the 2023 season, it has led to speculation Norman could be surplus to requirements.

But Brisbane’s Cameron Smith came out in rare defence of Norman and hopes to see him stay on.

Smith said: “He’s looking out for our best interests. That’s all you can ask of a guy that’s running the show.”

AP

Greg Norman is the CEO of LIV Golf[/caption]