Former agent Hughes Norton has accused golf superstar Tiger Woods of ‘the ultimate betrayal’ following his abrupt firing by Woods in 1998.
Norton’s association with Woods dates back to the beginning of his professional career when Woods was just 13 years old.
Throughout their partnership, Norton played a pivotal role in nurturing Woods’ rise to stardom in the world of golf. He facilitated significant endorsement deals for Woods with prominent companies such as Titleist and Nike. Norton stood by Woods during pivotal moments in his career, including his remarkable victory at the 1997 Masters Tournament, where Woods, at the age of 21, secured his first major championship by a staggering 12-shot margin at Augusta National.
However, just a year later, Woods fired Norton. Speaking before the release of his new book, ‘Rainmaker’, Norton told the Daily Mail: “It was betrayal with a capital B.”
Norton felt betrayed on both a professional and personal level due to the relationship they built over the past 10 years.
Norton also described Woods’ as having a “zombie-like attitude,” and therefore, he didn’t take the firing too personally.
“The solace I can take, which doesn’t provide much, is this: He was an equal opportunity zombie with relationships, his swing coaches, his lawyer, the guy negotiated the IMG representation deal, with caddies,” Norton added. “When it’s over, it’s over. It is the way he terminates relationships with everyone. Whether it’s girlfriends, whether it’s his former golf coaches. It’s ironic, really.”
“In a way, he’s so good at confrontation on the golf course. If he’s playing you, he will beat your brains out every single time. But when it comes to confronting things like me and other people that are in his life, he has no social skills whatsoever. It’s maddening, actually.”
Tiger Woods wasn’t the only high-profile figure to collaborate with and subsequently part ways with agent Hughes Norton. Norton also partnered with former world No. 1 Greg Norman, who currently serves as the CEO of LIV Golf. Despite an 11-year partnership, Norton found himself dismissed by Norman, although he found this separation easier to accept than his split with Woods.
Reflecting on his experience with Norman, Norton explained,
“After 11 years together, [Norman] wanted to go on his own and I understood that a little bit more than Tiger because superstars historically have sort of gone on their own after a period of time.”
Norton expressed his acceptance of Norman’s decision, acknowledging that such transitions are a common occurrence in the industry and emphasizing Norman’s entitlement to pursue his path independently.
“Was I disappointed and shattered when he left? Yes, because we were such good friends and I didn’t expect it. But the Tiger situation was far and away more difficult and more disturbing.”
