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Home , Bunkered, Claret Jug, Greg Norman, Jason Day, John Huston (golfer), Larry Mize

EXCLUSIVE A Shark’s tale... On the 40th anniversary of his first European Tour win at Blairgowrie, sits down with to reflect on his incredible career

WORDS MICHAEL McEWAN PHOTOS SUPPLIED / GETTY IMAGES

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FTER THE BEAR BUT BEFORE TIGER, THERE WAS THE SHARK. Not ‘MY ROUND just any shark. The . So-called because of his flowing WITH THE blond locks, aggressive style of play and his Australian roots, Greg SHARK’ Norman was arguably ’s most dominant figure for the best part of MURRAY RITCHIE ON two decades, topping the Official World Golf Ranking for a total of 331 THE DAY HE PLAYED weeks - a record bettered only by . Now 62, he’s still one of WITH NORMAN the game’s most influential and instantly-recognisable individuals. In this WHEN THE INVITATION came exclusive, wide-ranging interview, Norman reflects on the highs and lows to play in the Texas Scramble of his extraordinary career, explains the secrets of his huge success as a businessman, and pro-am before the Suntory World Matchplay at Wentworth sharesA his thoughts on Tiger, course design, technology and more. in 1987, I was nervous at the very thought. When they , , Ian AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN shrewd judge of a golfer, couldn’t told me I was last out with , Norman played have predicted it better. Woosnam, and John Greg Norman, the defending rugby and cricket. He was a keen O’Leary, guys like that. They were - champion and World No.1, I surfer, too, but harboured ambitions Let’s start with your first European and are - all great guys who I really was terrified. On the practice of becoming a fighter pilot. Golf Tour win at Blairgowrie in 1977. Do enjoyed being around. But, like I didn’t appear on his radar until his you remember much of that week? said, my goal was to get to America. putting green, I became aware mid-teens when his mother, a single- Absolutely. Being completely That was my focus. I knew that if I of a crowd gathering. When figure handicapper, taught him how to honest, I don’t recall all 18 holes could get there and I could beat the I looked up, there was only play. She also allowed him to caddy on the course but I remember the best American golfers, in their own me - and . I for her at the in week vividly. It was an important win backyard, that I’d be in good stead to don’t think they were there for and, within 18 months, he and I’ll always remember it fondly have a long and successful career. me. Seve smiled as I picked up went from a 27 to scratch. because it made a statement, to and made a beeline for the first At the age of 20, he served as an myself as much as anyone else. It Was becoming a golfer something where, to my horror, there assistant professional at Beverley told me that I was good enough you always wanted to do? were thousands of spectators. Club in before to compete and win at the highest Actually, no. My earliest ambition Down the right there were moving on to become a trainee of level. It gave me a huge amount of was to become a fighter pilot in the millions of pounds worth of Charlie Earp at Royal Queensland, confidence. I’d already won a few Royal Australian Air Force. I grew up luxury limos just waiting for earning $38 a week. In 1976, just six titles in and Japan by that in North East Australia, close to an an expensive slice. I managed years after he took up golf, he turned point and so the next logical step air force base, and I used to watch an almost respectable - pro as a tournament player, earning was to try to win in Europe. I came the fighter jets taking off all the time. and we were off. Playing with his first victory the same year in the over with the simple goal of trying to I figured that would be a pretty cool a legend was a wonderful West Lakes Classic in . learn different courses, different ways thing to do but somewhere along experience. Greg showed The following year, he joined the of playing and to improve my ball- the way golf just took over. I’ve seen interest in my ancient European Tour, finishing in a tie for striking. The turf on courses in it written that I wanted to become 52nd on his debut at the Penfold is totally different to the turf a professional surfer but that’s not and told me never PGA Championship in May. His very on some of the more lush parkland true. Surfing was a big part of my to sell it because it was a next event yielded his first victory - courses I’d largely been playing up childhood. It was something I was collector’s item. I never have. the at Blairgowrie until that point, and the best way to good at and I loved doing it but it He looked at my new carbon- Golf Club in Perthshire. With Bernard improve is to learn. That was my aim, was never something I was going headed Dunlop driver, the Gallacher for company, he closed to learn as much as I could - about to do for a living. It’s interesting, fashion of the day, and seemed with a magnificent 66, the lowest double greens, summer greens, though, and this is something I’ve puzzled by its fishing-rod . round of the week, to beat Simon winter greens, narrow fairways, wide spoken with [five-time World Surf “How do you wait for it?” he Hobday by three shots. fairways, thick rough, wispy rough, League champion] Kelly Slater about, asked. That was a bit technical Writing in The Herald, the late you name it - with the ultimate goal surfing is very good for your golf. for me. When I introduced him Raymond Jacobs proclaimed Norman of getting to the US. I knew that was When you’re on a board, you feel to the good lady he helpfully to be “a new - and rare - golfing where I needed to end up in order everything that is under your feet. informed her I needed a talent.” to really fulfil my potential but I didn’t The proprioception of your body in driver with a stiffer shaft. Well, “If ever a player looks the part,” want to take any shortcuts to get the is similar to that when even the boss could hardly wrote Jacobs, “both physically and there. I wanted to learn the game as you’re surfing. Even though they’re argue with the world No.1! My technically, he is Norman. A head of best I could to give myself the best opposites in so many ways, the two moment of glory came on the hair as strikingly blond as Nicklaus’s chance of succeeding when I did sports are similar. Looking back now, short 14th when Greg missed perches above a piratical-looking eventually get to America. I really believe my surfing prowess the green with a 6- and broken nose and a burly, broad- had a big influence on my golf. looked astonished. There was shouldered frame.” Who did you associate with in your a sudden wind, apparently. Noting the Aussie’s “aggressive” early years on the tour? shot-making, Jacobs added that Nobody, really. I mean, it was a I hit the green from the front he was “tailor made for American great time for the European Tour IN THE DECADE THAT FOLLOWED tee - to flattering applause, weather and courses.” Jacobs, a with the emergence of guys like HIS BREAKTHROUGH WIN AT  continues on p48

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 BLAIRGOWRIE, Norman cemented continued from p47 fairways were tight. The rough was his place as one of golf’s most a strange experience - and high, so high that you wondered if dominant players, winning multiple made the world’s best golfer you might injure yourself trying to get times on the European Tour, PGA the ball back in play if you found it. play my ball. When I faced Tour of Australia and elsewhere. His And, on the eve of the championship, a three-footer - I hate short first PGA Tour victory arrived in the the wind picked up considerably. It 1984 Kemper Open at Congressional, putts - he saw my fear. “Don’t was cold, grey and windy. So, my where he defeated Mark O’Meara worry,” he said, “just knock plan was simple: grab the driver and by five shots. The only thing now it in. That’s what you do with try to take the left side of the course missing from his CV was a major these.” Easier said than done, out of play as much as possible. I championship. He’d come close, but in it went and I have tried had a lot of confidence in my driving. finishing fourth on his Masters debut that mental trick with varying It was always one of my strengths. I in 1981 and, a fortnight after his results ever since. A ridiculous knew that if I aimed down the left of Kemper victory, he lost an 18-hole six hours after we started we the fairway, and got that power-fade play-off for the US Open to Fuzzy reached the -5 18th where going, I’d have more of the fairway Zoeller. It was in 1986, however, that Greg experimented by trying to hit to. So, that’s what I did. I stuck Norman truly made his mark. After to carry the corner. His ball to my task, even in the worst of the leading both the Masters and the sailed out of bounds and we conditions, and just tried to swing US Open after 54 holes, without played one of our group’s drive nice and easy, making solid contact. converting either lead into a victory, from the centre of the fairway. I had a good, positive frame of mind he went to the Open at as , Greg’s nemesis the whole week, and by the end of one of the pre-tournament favourites. at Augusta that year, was on it, I was lucky enough to be standing Sure enough, he again found the 18th, sizing up his putt. there holding the . himself in the lead with 18 holes to “Watch this,” said Greg, as go, completing the third leg of what he took a driver off the deck Can you describe for those of us became known as his ‘Saturday who’ll never get to experience it from 260 yards. The ball rolled Slam’ [Incidentally, he would go on what it is like to be the ‘Champion precisely to Mize’s feet. Some to lead the PGA Championship after Golfer of the Year’? three rounds the following month good-natured hand signals Wonderful. Simply wonderful. I to complete this streak]. Unlike the were exchanged. Throughout remember it occurring to me how previous two majors, there was to our round, Greg Norman was meteoric my rise had been to that be no final round disappointment for encouraging and friendly, point. I had only been playing golf Norman this time around. With the making an effort to interact for about ten years, starting off with words of still fresh in with his playing partners a 27 handicap, and now here I was his mind from dinner the previous and spectators. He skipped holding the Claret Jug. It was a evening - “Nobody in the world wants the prize-giving though, powerful statement. It was proof that you to win more than I do,” Nicklaus probably concluding he’d if you dare to chase your dreams, told him - he converted a one-shot suffered enough for one day. there’s nothing you can’t accomplish. lead over Tommy Nakajima into an You know, I’ve never played to please emphatic five-shot victory from his Murray is the father of other people. I’ve always played for nearest challenger, Gordon J Brand. bunkered editor Bryce Ritchie me. You’ve got to. You can’t spend The following day ‘Norman conquest’ and the former Scottish your entire life - certainly, your headlines were splashed on the political editor of The Herald professional life - trying to please  sports pages of newspapers around the world.

What are your memories of that week at Turnberry? I think that win was all the more significant because of the attention I had been getting that year as a result of the ‘Saturday Slam’ talk. Look, obviously, it was fantastic to win and when I reflect on it now, I’d go so far as to say that the 63 I shot in that second round is one of my top three or four rounds of all time. What a lot of people won’t remember, but I do, is that I three- putted 17 and 18 for that 63. It could very realistically have been a 61 or better, and in tough conditions, too. I remember feeling very confident about my chances that week. When I saw the weather forecast and I saw Norman celebrates the first of the course, I immediately knew what his two Open Championship victories at Turnberry in 1986 my game-plan was going to be. The 

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 and impress other people. You’ve got to do it for yourself. If you do, and you do it well, then everyone else benefits, from those closest to you, to those watching you play. So, it was fantastic to get that first win but it wasn’t long before I started to think, ‘Okay, now what?’ That’s the thing about dreams: you’ve always got to have them.

IN 2010, offered this magazine his take on many of his contemporaries at the height of his career. ? “The best ball- striker I ever saw.” ? “The original Mr Fitness.” Seve Ballesteros? “Magical. Just magical.” But Greg Norman? “Greg was what we refer to over here in the States as ‘snakebit’,” said Watson. “In other words, he lost more tournaments than Main Norman during his early years he really ought to have.” on the European Tour Below left It seems a remarkable, perhaps Norman with his mum Toini. It was even slightly unkind, thing to say of she who introduced him to golf in his a man who has won 91 times around teens Below right Norman originally harboured dreams of joining the the world - but it’s not unjustified. Australian Air Force Norman finished runner-up in eight different majors: the Masters three times (1986, 1987 and 1996); the US Open twice (1984 and 1995); the Open once (1989); and the PGA twice (1986 and 1993). Save for not even a handful of shots here and there over the course of his career, he could quite reasonably now be sitting alongside Sarazen, Hogan, Player, Nicklaus and Woods as the only golfers to have completed the career . Instead, he has as many major wins as the likes of ,  and . All great golfers but not even close to being in Norman’s league. His Masters near-misses were particularly painful. Jack Nicklaus staged one of the great Sunday you’ve had in majors. What do you What about the 1996 Masters? charges to overtake Norman in 1986. feel when you look back on those? Different story altogether. What can The following year, Larry Mize holed Regret, presumably? I say? It was hugely disappointing. I an improbable chip to defeat him on Yeah, regrets in some instances, remember waking up on the Sunday the second extra hole. But nothing not so much in others. Larry Mize, morning, leading by six, and noticing compares to 1996. Leading by six for example. I never, ever thought straight away that my back was with 18 holes to play, Norman shot I’d lose the Masters on the 11th hole. sore. Not bad enough to keep me in a 78, ultimately finishing five behind Larry did what he did, which was bed but bad enough to be a niggly playing partner . incredible, and there was nothing I problem. Anyway, I got up, got ready “I played liked shit,” he could do about it. Likewise, I had no and went out to warm up. I remember acknowledged afterwards. Others control over Jack Nicklaus shooting speaking to my coach, Butch were less kind. Thomas Bonk, in 30 on the back nine at Augusta in Harmon, and being concerned that the , wrote: 1986. When you birdie four straight I was getting the club stuck behind “Empires collapse. So do card tables, holes coming in, like I did from the me, almost to compensate for my tents and soufflés. And so does 14th to the 17th, and you don’t win, back. I told him I thought it wouldn’t Greg Norman.” you have to accept that the golfing be easy that day, and so it proved. Since turning pro in 1976, Norman - Gods have just decided not to smile Augusta National is one of those who once harboured ambitions of on you that day. That’s just the way it places where, if you’re a becoming an Australian Air Force pilot We have to touch on the - has clocked up over five million air miles disappointments and near misses goes sometimes. half-yard out, you pay for it big time. 

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 Does it frustrate you that people , for example, has already are often quite quick to talk about had some issues. They’re all aware the negatives rather than the of the stress that they’re putting on positives of your career? their bodies but, to maintain their There’s nothing I can do about that. quality, they’re still attacking the ball I understand the interest. I just hope as aggressively as ever. I can’t judge they remember the other stuff I’ve them for that. I used to do it, too. But done, too. I’ve been a loyal supporter stress is stress. Even bending over of the game on a global front since putting for hours and hours on end my earliest days as a professional. on the putting green isn’t good for I’ve played and won in Australia, you. I wish I’d known that sooner. Europe, Asia and America. I never I perhaps wouldn’t have spent so stopped going home to support golf much time practising. there. I was the first guy to do an exhibition in China. I was one of the first to support the golf in Dubai. I’ve always done my best to grow the THE 1999 SUPER BOWL saw the game around the world. Denver Broncos take on the Atlanta As well as being a successful Falcons at the Pro Player Stadium in Only Tiger Woods has been world golfer, Norman has become Miami, Florida. Legendary Broncos No.1 for longer than you, too. an accomplished businessman quarterback John Elway, playing Let’s talk Tiger. Everyone has an what would prove to be his final opinion on what has happened to match before retiring, provided the him over the last few years. What’s you look back at the big ‘power’ excitement with a match-winning your take? Presumably you can players of the last 50 or so years, performance. Greg Norman? He sympathise with the injuries? we’ve all had some lingering issues supplied the pitch. Absolutely. I feel for Tiger. I really do. because of the way we attacked Turf is just one of the Aussie’s many He’ll never get back to where he was. the ball. Jack [Nicklaus], Seve business interests. Others include Time is against him. Younger, fitter [Ballesteros], me and now Tiger. design, apparel, eyewear, players are against him. And most real estate and wine. He even has his significantly of all, his confidence is So, do you see back problems in own branded line of premium steaks. against him. I said it earlier about the futures of current big-hitters? The Greg Norman Company - until surfing, but proprioception is massive. Guys like, say, Rory McIlroy and last year known as Great White Shark The body is programmed to protect ? Enterprises - is a diverse empire its weakest link as a priority, whether Absolutely. Everything points that that reports hundreds of millions of subconsciously or otherwise, and way, doesn’t it? The body is the dollars in revenue each year, making when that happens, that weakest link body. Anatomically, we’re all the the $14.4m he made from playing on can become your undoing. That’s same. Sure, we can all change our the PGA Tour look like mere pocket what we’ve seen with Tiger. Whether physiques by building up muscle and change. he knows it or not, it looks like he has so on - but you can’t build up your been trying to play to accommodate bones or your spine. The more you How did you turn a nickname into whatever back problems he’s got, try to put power and flexibility around one of golf’s biggest brands? and it’s almost impossible to play at what Mother Nature gave you, the I was very alert early on in my career your best when you’re doing that. It’s higher the chance of something to the fact that I was building my own sad to see and, of course, I can relate happening. We’ve seen it already business as a and given my own back problems. When with some of the top guys today. that I therefore had a responsibility to 

30

NORMAN IN THE 20 MAJORS

10 1st 6 to 10 2nd 11 to 25 3rd Other 4 to 5 MC/WD 0 MASTERS US OPEN OPEN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

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 run my affairs and handle my affairs interests these days that it must Organisation bought it. I was asked around. No matter what era you’re like a business. I also figured out be hard to keep on top of them all. by the former owners to draw up in, there will be some guys who want quite quickly that my management How hands-on are you? some plans, which I did, but that’s to be as successful as they can be company - any management [Laughs] My team would probably as far as it went. It’s funny to look and there will be others who are company - wasn’t interested in tell you I’m too hands-on. They’ll say at it now and see some of your happy in their comfort zone. They’ll building equity on my brand. The to me, ‘Greg, it’s fine, we’ve got this. own ideas. I had big plans for the pull the blanket up around their average career for a professional You don’t need to be this granular tenth, eleventh and twelfth holes, necks and be quite content. Some athlete at the very top level is, what, about it’. But then again, that’s just in particular. The 12th was going to people like the responsibility that ten to 15 years at best? That’s all me. That’s the type of guy I am. I like be more a right-to-left shape, with goes with being a professional golfer my management were interested to know everything that’s going on a tee positioned high up above the and others don’t. But money is all in - that period of time. Fair enough. and what needs done. I guess it’s the 11th green, which I had planned to relative to the time and era. There That’s how they run. The athletes golfer in me, always thinking through move more towards the rocks, as has have been incremental gains from they represent are all pass-through every outcome. ‘Okay, if I hit the happened. It would have been great the Nicklaus and Palmer era, to, say, entities. They roll in, make money, ball there, this will be the outcome, to get the chance to realise the plans my era, and the same again from my and roll out, replaced by younger, whereas if I hit it there, it’ll be this.’ but, like I say, it didn’t happen. That’s era to the Woods era, and again from fresh, new talent. It’s a conveyor belt. just the way it goes. I’d be lying, the Woods era to the Rory era. Go But that didn’t sit well with me. Ten Is there one area of business that though, if I said I didn’t want to design 25 years forward from now and I’m to 15 years at the top would take interests you the most? a course in Scotland. The opportunity confident you’ll see the same pattern me pretty close to 40, but where I enjoy it all but if I had to pick my to input everything I’ve learned about of growth. did I want to be when I was 60? My biggest passion I’d probably say golf the game in the country where it all management weren’t concerned with course design. We’ve designed more began would be so special. It would What about technology? Everyone that. By then, they’d be onto the next than 100 courses in over 30 countries be the final arrow in my quiver. has an opinion on the way it’s guy, or the guy after him. So I realised around the globe. We’ve actually going. What’s your take? I had a responsibility to take care of just announced our first project in I have always thought that pros myself. I was quite forward-thinking Colombia, which is very exciting. should play under a different set and observed what was going on It’s very gratifying to be involved in IT’S ALL RELATIVE, of course, of rules from the masses. The best rather than just let it all happen taking golf to new territories and but it’s remarkable that a man who players in the world will always be around about me.

So what did you do? Well, this was the late 1980s. I was sponsored by and its owner, “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to design a course in Paul Fireman, approached me about Scotland. The chance to do that in the country where the launching a ‘Great White Shark’ range of clothing. He said that they’d create game began would be the final arrow in my quiver.” the logo and license it back from me. It seemed like a brilliant idea. Suddenly, I had an outlet for products new audiences. It’s funny, our design dominated golf as recently as the best players in the world. If you through Reebok and my own distinct company is also a good economic Norman can be ranked outside the told them to play Augusta National brand and logo, which I would wear indicator. We know when a recession top 100 on the PGA Tour’s career with hickory clubs and a gutta percha in place of the Reebok logo. Perfect, is about to hit. Some people read tea money list. John Huston, Scott Piercy, ball, they’d do it and they’d still be right? Around the same time, my leaves; our guys can see it coming Steve Lowery, Mark Wilson - all fantastic. Instead, they’ve got this contract with Reebok was coming when payments start to be delayed. have earned more from playing golf incredible technology which is only up for renewal. I remember sitting in Back in 2007 or 2008, when the than he did. Much has, of course, creating a bigger gulf between them the meetings and my management global financial crisis hit, I remember changed in the 20 years since and the guys at the grassroots. In company laying out a plan for a three the first signs we got were some Norman secured the most recent of turn, that has made countless top to five-year extension. Three to five months earlier when we started to his 20 PGA Tour titles. Aside from courses obsolete for tournament years! I said, ‘Guys, this is crazy. find some of our payments being the money that the game’s top pros play. The average club golfer can still Reebok are planning to invest all deferred. I said to the guys, ‘Hey, now play for, the courses they play play them and enjoy them but they’re of this time and money in my new this isn’t going to be pretty. We on have been altered to reflect the no longer suitable for professional brand and we’re wanting to enter need to make some shifts, diversify distance gains made achievable by events. I don’t think that’s right. The into that short of a deal?’ In that what we’re doing and spread our huge advances in golf club - and golf main benefactors of technology instant, the penny dropped. From my net further around the globe to find ball - technology. have been the people making the management’s point of view, these markets that won’t be affected’. technology and the top players. talks were all about them getting their That wasn’t easy to do but we came It seems like there’s a new But what about the average player? percentage of my deals year on year. through it relatively unscathed millionaire every week on the PGA They’re the ones who need the It was all about the immediate and and that was largely down to Tour. What do you make of guys technology. The more you give them, near future. There was no concern understanding what was happening who’ve got $12m to their name but the more likely they are to enjoy the for my long-term potential. So, I and reacting to it before it happened. have never won an event? game. Give them more, but restrict proposed to Paul that we instead It’s no big deal. You know, I think us. enter into a lifetime contract, as there Like you say, you’ve designed back to when I was the first to make would be nothing to stop me from courses in over 30 different a million in career earnings, and the Putting your design hat on for a walking away from Reebok when my countries around the world… but first to make a million in a season. second, how much has technology With over 100 courses spread deal was up. And, yes, I split with my not Scotland. Why? All the other guys were excited, influenced the creation of new across six continents, Norman management firm and went it alone. It nearly happened. I actually did saying ‘Go Greg, go’ and stuff like courses? owns one of the world’s premier a redesign of the Ailsa Course that, because it was helping to create Oh boy, it’s crazy. When we sit down golf course design companies You’ve got so many business at Turnberry before the Trump more wealth and spread the money with developers to discuss plans, 

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Greg Norman expanded his business interests into ‘EVEN THEN, producing wine in 1996 HE HAD THIS AMAZING AURA’ BLAIRGOWRIE PRO CHARLES DERNIE RECALLS NORMAN’S MAIDEN WIN BLAIRGOWRIE professional Charles Dernie remembers Greg Norman’s maiden European Tour win at the Perthshire club vividly. No surprise really given that he, too, was playing. Dernie, who was an assistant at Lytham at the time, was a young European Tour card-holder and was urged by his then boss to drop everything to play in the Martini International, which was played over the acclaimed Rosemount Course in 1977. “He always spoke very highly of Blairgowrie and, when the tournament was announced, he was insistent I play in it,” Dernie tells bunkered. Sadly, he missed the cut but recalls the impression Norman made that week. “Even then, he had  an incredible aura,” he says. more often than not one of the first really understand it. From a purely things they say is that they want a ‘course’ point of view, why would you “There was a lot of hype about championship-standard course. Straight want to build a course that is 7,500 him, this young Aussie being off the bat, a championship course. yards long if you’re only going to have touted as the next big thing. But for what? One week a year? We’ve people playing it at its full length once It’s fair to say he lived up to walked away from opportunities simply or twice a year? It’s just another cost expectations. He had a broad because we don’t see how we can you don’t need. It’s 700 or 800 extra frame, bright blond hair and make them work for the developer yards that you won’t use but you still was a snappy dresser, so he based on their expectations. need to water, fertilise, maintain, year stood out. Plus, he was a very on year. Take those costs and multiply big hitter. He was easily one For example? them out over a 20-year period. Do you of the best drivers of the ball TPC San Antonio is one. You ask a really need that? I’m not sure you do. I ever saw, which no doubt developer if they want a course capable helped him that week. Back of hosting a PGA Tour event and a high then, the Rosemount had a lot majority will say yes. But let’s break more heather, so you really down the economics of that. For one THE OPEN RETURNS TO ROYAL couldn’t afford to miss the week a year, at best, they need to have BIRKDALE THIS SUMMER. The last fairway. With his combination a course that is long enough for the time it was there, in 2008, Norman of power and accuracy, he was smallest percentage of golfers because rolled back the years to, once again, always going to be tough to of the influence of technology. Beyond head the field after three rounds. At beat.” Blairgowrie made such that, you need to factor in additional the age of 53, he became the oldest an impression on Dernie that, costs for a suitable clubhouse, TV player to hold at least a share of the towers, cabling, spectators and all of the Open lead after 54 holes. [Tom Watson when the opportunity arose to other associated infrastructural costs of eclipsed that record the following year become the pro there 20 years staging a tournament. Now, take those at Turnberry aged 59]. ago, he leapt at it. Norman, extra costs and multiply them out over Had he won, Norman would have too, made a big impression on 20 years or so – where’s the return set a new record as the oldest major him. “I’m not surprised how on your investment? You show that to champion in the game’s history. fantastic a career he has gone people and yet they’ll still largely say, Alas, it wasn’t to be. Playing partner on to have,” he adds. “He was ‘Thanks for that and, yes, I still want all Padraig Harrington - who almost had a very special talent and if he of it’. The only way of getting any kind to withdraw prior to the championship ever wants to revisit the scene of non-diminished return is to build real because of a wrist injury - reined him in of that first win of his, he’d estate around the property but even to successfully defend the title he had be welcome here any time.” then there are no guarantees. I don’t won a year earlier at Carnoustie. Even 

56 BUNKERED.CO.UK COVER STORY

 so, Norman’s gallant effort won’t soon be forgotten.

What are your abiding memories of the 2008 Open? It was a fun week. I went in feeling confident, healthy and hitting the ball well and, for the first 63 holes, everything was going great. Then, on the Sunday, I remember walking Main Norman describes course design as one of his off the ninth tee to go to the tenth, biggest passions Above left feeling fantastic, when suddenly With Padraig Harrington at the there were people everywhere. I 2008 Open Championship. looked up and realised that there were two groups on the tee. It was pretty obvious we were in for a bit of from 150 yards and getting it close for example, it could vary from one a delay. The thing is, there’s nowhere more often than not. That’s something day to the next. One thing I’m very to go. You’re in a goldfish bowl with that only comes from years and years big on, though, is making sure I have cameras trained directly on you. of playing the game and having the my weekends free to spend at home. You’re wanting to look relaxed and guts to try it. Somewhere down the That’s family time. I’ve spent so much not show the nerves underneath or line, somebody is going to have the of my life working at weekends the frustration that you’re having your same opportunity and I’m quite sure that I really value having the luxury momentum disrupted by the hold- they’ll see it through. of having them free these days. I up in front of you. You’re focusing recognise that’s something that’s hard on maintaining your cool and That was your last real appearance important for my staff, too. They’ve your intensity all at once, which is on golf’s biggest stage but you’ve mostly got families of their own. very hard to do. Finally, after about become very active on social media Work during the week; family at the 15 minutes or so, we’re on the tee over the last few years with your weekend. That’s the way I like it. But and I hit a horrible pull-hook. That’s ‘#AttackLife’ mantra. Is that a a typical day? I’ll get up early, take my something I just don’t do. My body new philosophy or something that stepdaughters to school and aim to had just stiffened up from standing you’ve lived by for a while? be in my office for just before 8am. around waiting. I made a good par at It came about one time when I I’ll work there until 2pm, 2.30pm and 11 but then failed to get up and down was signing autographs on my then I’ll go to the gym and work out at 12 and the championship just kind plane. That’s when I catch up on between 4pm and 6pm. After that, of got away from me after that. It was correspondence and things like that. it’s back home to wind down, have disappointing but we gave it a good Anyway, I’m going through a box of dinner with the family, and then watch go and it was a lot of fun being in the pictures and I’m putting the usual some TV. Preferably sport. Most of mix again. stuff on it. “Keep swinging”, “Play what is on TV is garbage, though. hard”, “Enjoy your golf”. All of the You nearly did it. Watson nearly did typical stuff. Then, out of nowhere, I Finally, if you had the chance to it. Do you think we’ll ever see the started writing “Attack life” and it kind give your 18-year-old self one piece day a 50+ golfer wins a major? of resonated with me. I just thought, of advice, what would it be? Absolutely. I don’t think it’ll happen on ‘You know, there’s something in that’. Travel with a masseuse and a full-time one of these monster courses but I That’s how I approach every day now. trainer. No doubt about it. You look can see it happening somewhere like Go out there and give it some. back and take stock of everything St Andrews. You know, Birkdale in ’08 you’ve put your body through and was an example of how, in the right What does a typical day look like you just think of how much a benefit weather conditions, experience can for Greg Norman these days? that would have been. It would have be so much more valuable than any It really depends what I’m doing. If been a wonderful asset. But, hey, I’ve yardage book. I was chipping 5-irons I’m working on a particular project, got no complaints. ¢

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