Golf legend Greg Norman blasts 'loner' Nick Faldo: 'I have no respect for him'

Callum Vurley
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:42:00 +0000

Greg Norman has launched a scathing attack on Sir Nick Faldo in a bombshell interview just days before the 2026 Masters gets underway at Augusta National.

The Australian golf legend declared he harbours lasting resentment towards the six-time major champion following Faldo's criticism of LIV Golf.

"We never had any sort of relationship. We were chalk and cheese. He was a loner. I couldn't be like him," Norman told Telegraph Sport.

The 71-year-old, who served as LIV Golf's commissioner until his contract expired last September, was unequivocal about his feelings towards his former rival.

"I don't have any respect for someone who gives their opinion on something in that sort of manner when they don't know both sides," Norman stated.

The interview comes three decades after one of golf's most infamous collapses, when Norman squandered a commanding six-shot advantage during the final round of the 1996 Masters.

Faldo capitalised on Norman's disintegration to claim his third green jacket, with the Englishman playing a flawless 18 holes while his opponent's game fell apart spectacularly.

Following Norman's capitulation, Faldo embraced him on the 18th green and whispered words of encouragement.

Yet Norman has now dismissed that moment of apparent sportsmanship.

"He's the one who came up to me, he's the one who hugged me," Norman said. "He's the one who said, 'don't let those bastards get to you'. But it didn't really mean much to me, because I knew he'd soon go back to being the way he was before."

Norman's fury stems from Faldo's repeated public attacks on the Saudi-backed breakaway league during his tenure as commissioner.

The Englishman has previously branded LIV Golf "meaningless" and suggested nobody was genuinely interested in watching it.

"Nick said some things about me during my time at LIV, some really nasty things," Norman revealed.

The Australian expressed particular frustration that Faldo never reached out privately before voicing his criticism.

"Come on, we have a history, he could have called me and asked for the other side of the story and I'd have gladly given it," Norman said.

"And if he still hadn't agreed then fine – his opinion and as he knows the facts, he would have been entitled to say anything he likes. Happy days. But just to sound off? Like I said, no respect for him. He still comes out with stuff that's interestingly stupid, to be honest with you."

Norman also reflected on the broader hostility he faced during his time leading the PIF-backed venture.

He pointed to shifting geopolitical attitudes towards Saudi Arabia as evidence that criticism of LIV was misguided.

"Roll the clock back four-and-a-half years ago, about all the anti-Saudi sentiment, and then you roll the clock to where we are today, where now the Americans and the Saudis are tight with what's going on in the Middle East," Norman said.

The Australian suggested he possesses damaging information about the opposition he encountered.

"I'm not allowed to tell you everything that happened and what was against us. But one day, when I'm near the end, I might. It will be like the Watergate of golf," he declared.