Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have backed the R&A's decision not to invite Greg Norman to compete in the Celebration of Champions or attend the Champions' Dinner ahead of the 150th Open at St Andrews.
Norman won the Open in 1986 and 1993 but is now the CEO of LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed circuit which has caused a rift in the men's professional game after enticing players to compete in their £20million, 48-man, 54-hole events.
And while other former champions, including current LIV Golf player Louis Oosthuizen, took part in a four-hole challenge on the Old Course on Monday, Norman's potential presence was viewed by tournament organisers as an unwelcome distraction.
"I supported that decision and I think right now, because of everything that's happening in the golf world, I think it was the right decision to be made," McIlroy said.
"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."
Woods re-iterated his opposition to the breakaway LIV Golf series and said he supported the R&A's decision not to invite LIV CEO Greg Norman, despite having won the Open twice.
"Greg has done some things that I don't think are in the best interests of the game," Woods said.
Asked to expand, he added: "I just don't understand it. Fifty-four holes, guaranteed money up front. Where is the incentive to practice?
"If LIV events don't get world ranking points, some of these players might never get to play in majors."
McIlroy has emerged as one of the staunchest supporters of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour as they try to fight off the threat posed by LIV Golf, but said recently "peace talks" should happen between the rival organisations.
And in an interview with CBS Sports, McIlroy admitted his position had changed slightly.
"I don't agree with what LIV is doing. If LIV went away tomorrow, I'd be super happy. My stance hasn't softened on that," the four-time major winner said.
"But my stance on where the money is coming from is where I've sort of softened because I just look at every other sport and I see the money that's going in there and I can see what benefits that has.
"It's hard because, ultimately, do you want more money being invested into the PGA Tour? I think, yes, that would be great. And if these guys are willing to do that and scrap the whole LIV thing..."
Asked about those comments in his pre-Open press conference, McIlroy insisted they were not "contradictory" to his previous position and also declined to say if he would vote to permanently suspend PGA Tour members who had defected to LIV.
"I don't think that should be in the public domain about how I would vote in that," added McIlroy, who is one of four playing members of the PGA Tour's board.
McIlroy admits his confidence levels are as high as they have been for years ahead of his first round on Thursday.
McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug in 2014 and won his fourth major title in the US PGA a month later, but has not won one of the game's biggest titles since.
"I'm playing well, my form is good and my confidence is as high as it has been for a while," McIlroy said in his pre-tournament press conference.
"I can't come here thinking it might be my turn (to win another major) but I'm happy with where everything is at.
"I can't get ahead of myself, I just have to get in the right frame of mind for Thursday morning."
McIlroy was unable to defend his Open title at St Andrews in 2015 due to an ankle injury suffered playing football, but did finish third at the venue in 2010.
On that occasion McIlroy carded a record-equalling opening 63, but shot 80 in the second round played in terrible conditions for the later starters.
Asked about the prospect of record low scores this week, he added: "I don't think we are going to see it. You can bomb it and get close to the greens but that doesn't necessarily mean you are going to make birdies.
"I can see it (the winning total) being low, but I can't see something in the 20-under range. Everyone has seen how firm and fast the fairways are and it's going to get pretty tricky at the end of the week."
