Norman, the CEO and face of LIV Golf, had his invitation to Monday's Celebration of Champions event and Tuesday night's Champions' Dinner revoked by the R&A ahead of the milestone Open .

Norman, the Open champion in 1986 and 1993, slammed the decision as "very petty".

“There have been a lot of dumb decisions made, quite honestly, and this one seemed as if it was very petty,” Norman told Florida’s Palm Beach Post. 

But heavyweights Woods and McIlroy insist the R&A made the right decision.

"Greg has done some things that I don't think are in the best interests of the game," Woods said in his pre-tournament press conference.

“I know what the PGA Tour stands for and what we have done and what the Tour has given us, the ability to chase after our careers and to earn what we get and the trophies we have been able to play for and the history that has been a part of this game.

“I know Greg tried to do this back in the early '90s. It didn't work then, and he's trying to make it work now.

“I still don't see how that's in the best interests of the game. What the European Tour and what the PGA Tour stands for and what they've done, and also all the professional – all the governing bodies of the game of golf and all the major championships, how they run it. I think they see it differently than what Greg sees it.”

Tiger Woods supports the R&A decision to not invite Greg Norman to the Open celebrations. PHOTO: Getty Images.

McIlroy, one of the most vocal advocates of the PGA Tour and staunchly against Norman's rebel organisation, totally agreed.

"It's the 150th Open Championship and that's what we need to focus on. I think the focus would have been taken away a little bit if he'd have been here," McIlroy said.

"I supported that decision, and I think right now, because of everything that's happening in the golf world.

"But if things change in the future or whatever happens who knows, but I could see a day where he's certainly welcome back.

"But right now, just with everything going on, we want the focus to be on The 150th Open Championship and this being a celebration of a wonderful golf tournament and a wonderful game in general, and I think it was the right decision for that."

This week's Open features six major champions who have defected to LIV golf – Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koekpa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Louis Oosthuizen, who won the Open at St. Andrews in 2010.

McIlroy said he "selfishly" hoped no player supporting the Shark's controversial tour wins the Claret Jug this week.

"I think it would be better for the game (if they didn't)," said Northern Ireland's four-time major winner.

"But, at the end of the day, everyone that's here has the same opportunity to go out there and try to win a Claret Jug, regardless of what tour they play on or whatever that is.

"Whoever wins here at the end of the week should be commended for one of the greatest achievements this game has to offer.

"I'm not going to begrudge anyone if they win the Claret Jug and they play on a different tour than I play.

"That's still a wonderful achievement, and they're still playing the same sport.

"But I selfishly want that person to be me, and I'm going to try my best to make that happen."

– Darren Walton, Australian Associated Press.