The CEO and face of LIV Golf, Norman’s invitation to Monday’s Celebration of Champions event and Tuesday night’s Champions’ Dinner was revoked because of the dual Open winner’s heavy involvement with the Saudi-backed rebel tour that has divided the sport.

Norman slammed the Royal and Ancient’s decision as “petty” but Woods and fellow golf titan Rory McIlroy both endorsed the R&A’s big call on Tuesday.

“Greg has done some things that I don’t think are in the best interests of the game,” said Woods, a 15-time major champion and winner of a record-equalling 82 PGA Tour events.

“And we’re coming back to probably the most historic and traditional place in our sport. I believe it’s the right thing.

“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.”

McIlroy, one of the most vocal advocates of the PGA Tour and staunchly against Norman’s rogue 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.

But Leishman, while declining to discuss LIV Golf, says Norman should have been allowed to attend.

The 2015 Open runner-up at St Andrews grew up idolising Norman, and the Australian said the former long-time world No.1’s playing record should have been enough

“He’s a champion, a two-time champion, so I don’t see why not. He should have been (here),” Leishman told AAP on Tuesday.

Woods, though, believes LIV Golf – and its modified format – is cheapening the sport.

“What these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practise? What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt?” he said.

“You’re just getting paid a lot of money up front and playing a few events and playing 54 holes. They’re playing blaring music and have all these atmospheres that are different.

“I can understand 54 holes is almost like a mandate when you get to the Senior Tour. The guys are a little bit older and a little more banged up.

“But when you’re at this young age and some of these kids – they really are kids who have gone from amateur golf into that organisation – 72-hole tests are part of it.

“We used to have 36-hole playoffs for major championships. That’s how it used to be – 18-hole US Open playoffs.

“I just don’t see how that move is positive in the long term for a lot of these players, especially if the LIV organisation doesn’t get world-ranking points and the major championships change their criteria for entering the events.

“It would be sad to see some of these young kids never get a chance to experience it and experience what we’ve got a chance to experience and walk these hallowed grounds and play in these championships.”