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The last time Greg Norman was on top of the golf word was in 1997 when he was ranked No. 1 when Tiger Woods turned pro.
11 years later at age 53, Norman leads the British Open by two strokes heading into tomorrow's final round. You may have to read that twice just to let it set in.
Woods and Rocco Media dazzled us for a two-day U.S. Open final that has found its way into golfing lore as one of the best stories in the sport's history. Dare we ponder where a Norman win would rank?
Let's consider that Norman is five years older than the oldest golfer to ever win a major. Julius Boros was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA Championship. Jack Nicklaus was 46 when he won the storied 1986 Masters. That same year, the Shark won his first British Open. The Australian also won the 1993 British. So yes, there's the chance for Norman to win the Open Championship in three different decades.
Add this to the fact that Norman has hardly played recently, said Nicklaus.
"Greg has played very little golf. The only thing I'd relate it to is 1986 when I won the Masters. I hadn't played any golf, either. But I remembered how to play when I needed to down the stretch. And he'll remember how to play when or if he gets into position to do so."Norman was recently married to tennis star Chis Evert, who he apparently had been involved with throughout his previous marriage. The two though have clearly put past relationship troubles behind them, and if you've watched much of the Open coverage you can tell the Shark is more mentally relaxed and focused then other competitors.
What's in an age? It's mind over matter on display at Royal Birkdale.
Devoid of Tiger, we figured to pay little attention to the events in Southport, England, but turns out we might have an ever bigger story on our hands than Woods could have delivered.
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