Aussie legend Greg Norman has stunned the golf world after announcing his intentions to come out of retirement and play the British Open.
The 67-year-old hasn’t played professionally for ten years. However, on Saturday, he told News Corp that he wants to play The Open in July in a one-off farewell event.
“I’m filling out my entry form now, I think I’m going,” Norman said.
Norman has won The Open twice before but no longer qualifies for automatic entry as a past champion because he is over the age of 60.
He will have to earn his spot through qualifying or receive a special exemption in order to play.
At 67, the former number one will need to earn his place through qualifying unless he is granted a special exemption to play the British Open – which he won in 1986 and 1993.
Although rare, exceptions have been made in the past, and Norman believes he has a valid case because this year’s edition is a special edition celebrating the history of the world’s oldest major.
However, there is a precedent of The Open bending the rules for former champions, with Tom Watson granted entry at the age of 65 in 2014.
Norman famously won the Claret Jug in 1986 and 1993 and tied for third in 2008, having held the third-round lead at the age of 53.
He said he is drawn to the event because it will be celebrating 150 years in 2022.
“I think I can still get in,” he said. “It’s the 150th. I’m a past Open Champion. I love St Andrews.
“If there’s a moment in time that I would consider going back and teeing off one last time. Maybe this is it.”
The last time Norman played for world ranking points was in 2012 at the Australian PGA Championship.
British Open organisers told News Corp no wildcards would be offered this year but did reveal that there may be another way for the Shark to tee off again at the 16th Century home of golf.
One of just four Australians to win the British Open, Norman made 27 appearances in the tournament from 1977 to 2009, recording an astonishing ten top-10 finishes.
A wildcard would be an extraordinary development as a result of Norman’s mission to establish a rebel golf league.
The Aussie golfing legend is spearheading the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series that has threatened to shake the sport to its core.
The tour announced last year that the PIF — the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund — had committed more than $AUD260 million for Norman to play with.
