Greg Norman
Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox golfer Gregory John Norman (born 10 February 1955)<ref name="USA">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="PGAOrder">Template:Cite news</ref> is an Australian former professional golfer who spent 331 weeks as world number one in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref name="CNBC">Template:Cite news</ref> He won 88 professional tournaments, including 20 PGA Tour tournaments and two majors: The Open Championship in 1986 and 1993.<ref name="Indie">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Forbes">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Norman also earned thirty top-10 finishes and was the runner-up eight times in majors throughout his career.<ref name="PGAMajors">Template:Cite news</ref> In a reference to his blond hair, size, aggressive golf style and his birthplace's native coastal animal, Norman's nickname is "the Great White Shark" (often shortened to just "the Shark"), which he earned after his play at the 1981 Masters.<ref name="People">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="FWST">Template:Cite news</ref>
Norman's business interests began during his playing career. He is the chairman and CEO of the Greg Norman Company, a global corporation with a portfolio of companies in fields including apparel, interior design, real estate, wine production, private equity and golf course design.<ref name="Forbes"/> Between 2021 and 2025, he was the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, a start-up company financed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund; the LIV Golf Invitational Series of golf tournaments began in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Norman has donated to and established numerous charities and charity events, like the QBE Shootout which benefits the CureSearch for Children's Cancer fund.<ref name="Naples">Template:Cite news</ref> He became a Trustee of the Environmental Institute for Golf in 2004<ref name="WGEIFG">Template:Cite news</ref> and received the Golf Writers Association of America's Bartlett Award in 2008 for his charitable work.<ref name="PGABartlett">Template:Cite news</ref>
Early lifeEdit
Norman was born in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia to Mervin and Toini Norman. His mother was the daughter of a Finnish carpenter, and his father an electrical engineer.<ref name="People"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As a youth, he played rugby and cricket and aspired to be a professional surfer.<ref name="People"/><ref name="Glasgow">Template:Cite news</ref> His mother Toini, who had a single-figure handicap, taught the 15-year-old Norman how to play golf and allowed him to caddy for her at the Virginia Golf Club in Brisbane.<ref name="People"/><ref name="SAHOF">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Within about eighteen months, Norman went from a 27 handicap to a scratch handicap.<ref name="ABCStory">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Townsville, Queensland, Norman attended Townsville Central State School (enrolled 1964) and then Townsville Grammar School then moved on to Aspley State High School on the north side of Brisbane.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Amateur careerEdit
In June 1974, at the age of 19, Norman received media attention at the Queensland Open. The Canberra Times reported that "the young amateur Greg Norman" was one shot off the lead after the first round.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Professional careerEdit
As of March 1975, Norman had turned professional.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He served as assistant professional under Billy McWilliam OAM at Beverley Park Golf Club in Sydney, New South Wales.<ref name="McWilliam">Template:Cite news</ref> Shortly thereafter, in the same year, Norman started work as Charlie Earp's trainee in the Royal Queensland Golf Club pro shop, earning A$38 a week.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Australian and European ToursEdit
Norman's first four-round professional tournament was the 1976 South Coast Open at Bateman's Bay.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the first round, Norman shot a 68 (−3) to put him in a tie for fifth place, three back of David Good's lead.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He followed it up with an even-par 71 to remain in the top ten.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the third round, he "jumped into the reckoning" with a two-under-par 69 which included five birdies on the back nine, one back of the lead.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the final round, he had a chance to win down the stretch but was "edged out" by Barry Burgess.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite news</ref> His second tournament was at the following week's Queensland Open. Norman was well back of the lead entering Sunday but shot a final round 70 (−3) to finish in a tie for third.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The next week he recorded another top-15 finish at the New South Wales Open.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His fourth tournament was the West Lakes Classic held at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, South Australia.<ref name="ESPNClassic">Template:Cite news</ref> In the first round, Norman "upstaged his more experienced opponents" to shoot a "brilliant" 64 (−7) to take a three shot lead.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the second round, despite incurring three penalty strokes, Norman shot a four-under-par 67 to expand his lead to five shots.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Norman followed it up with a 66 (−5) to create 10 shot lead. On Sunday, however, he had a "fluctuating" final round with six bogeys, six pars, five birdies, and one double-bogey for a 74 (+3). Though David Graham got within four shots Norman held on to win by five. Norman described the win as "unreal." He later said, "It's been a great experience and now I know what now to do − I think."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Norman joined the European Tour in the following year and had his first victory in a European event that same season at the Martini International at the Blairgowrie Club in Scotland.<ref name="Glasgow" /> In 1980, Norman earned a sizable victory in the French Open, winning the tournament by ten shots.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He won the Scandinavian Enterprise Open in Sweden with a course record of 64 in the final round.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later in 1980, Norman won the Suntory World Match Play Championship.<ref name="GM">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Norman also won his first Australian Open that year, his first of five wins in that event.<ref name="AOHistory">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 1981, Norman finished in 4th place on his debut at the Masters in Augusta, finishing just three strokes behind the winner Tom Watson.<ref name="SI1981">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Norman had a victory in the 1981 British Masters<ref name="SG1981">Template:Cite news</ref> and he won his third Martini International tournament that year as well.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1982, Norman was the leading money winner on the European Tour.<ref name="PGA">Template:Cite news</ref> He won three European events that year, including successfully defending his British Masters title.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The following year, Norman joined the U.S. PGA Tour.<ref name="ESPNClassic"/><ref name="NYT1984">Template:Cite news</ref>
PGA TourEdit
In June 1984, Norman won his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Kemper Open, winning by five strokes.<ref name="ESPNClassic"/> He gained worldwide prominence a week later at the 1984 U.S. Open. Norman holed a dramatic 45-foot putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with former Masters champion Fuzzy Zoeller. At the next day's 18-hole playoff, Zoeller would earn a 67–75 victory over Norman.<ref name="Pitt19841">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Pitt19842">Template:Cite news</ref> He was able to put the defeat behind him with a victory at the Canadian Open the next month in July for his second win of the year.<ref name="CBC">Template:Cite news</ref>
In 1985, Norman won the Toshiba Australian PGA Championship and the National Panasonic Australian Open. He had two runner-up finishes in the U.S. PGA Tour that year, finishing tied for second place at the Canadian Open and at the Bank of Boston Classic.<ref name="Profile">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web
}}</ref>
In 1986, Norman's 11 worldwide victories that year included four wins in Australia and two regular PGA Tour events; the Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational and the Kemper Open (for the second time) but 1986 is remembered for the Norman Slam or the Saturday Slam. Norman held the lead for all four majors through 54 holes. This meant he played in the final group for every major and had perhaps the best chance in history of winning the single-season Grand Slam. However, the only major victory Norman earned that year was in the 1986 Open Championship at Turnberry.<ref name="ClickOn">Template:Cite news</ref>
At the 1986 Masters, Norman began the final round with a one-stroke lead which he maintained until he double-bogeyed the 10th. After making four consecutive birdies on holes 14 to 17, Norman was tied with Jack Nicklaus going to the 18th. Norman missed a par putt on the 18th that would have sent the two into a sudden-death playoff.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> At the 1986 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Norman again led after 54 holes. However, Norman faltered on the final day, finishing with a final round 75 placing him six strokes behind the winner, Raymond Floyd.<ref name="ClickOn"/><ref name="Profile"/>
Norman finally broke through at the 1986 Open Championship for his first major title. Norman shot a second round of 63 on Friday at Turnberry, tying the record for the lowest ever round at the Open.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Only 15 players broke par in the second round. Tom Watson described Norman's feat as "the greatest round ever played in a tournament in which I was a competitor."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Norman survived the weekend's brutal conditions at Turnberry, with a final round of 69 to win The Open by five shots. After being presented with the Claret Jug trophy, Norman said: "Outside of Australia, Britain was the first place that accepted me as a professional golfer. To win my first Open in front of the British public is the greatest feeling ever."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Norman was again in contention at the 1986 PGA Championship. He was in the lead on the final day, but shot a final-round 76 to finish 2 strokes behind the eventual winner, Bob Tway.<ref name="ClickOn"/>
Norman's four wins in Australia in 1986 helped him to finish top of the Australian Order of Merit for the fifth time. He also topped the U.S. PGA Tour money list for the first time that year.<ref name="Magic">Template:Cite news</ref> In September 1986, Norman won the Panasonic European Open at Sunningdale Golf Club<ref name="LAT1986">Template:Cite news</ref> and the following month he had another victory in England, winning his third World Match Play Championship at Wentworth. Norman ended 1986 with eleven worldwide victories<ref name="Profile"/> and was officially ranked number 1 in the brand new Official World Golf Rankings.<ref name="SBS">Template:Cite news</ref>
Norman endured another setback at the 1987 Masters. In his final round on the 18th green, Norman had a 20-foot putt for a birdie that would win the tournament. The ball trickled over the left lip of the cup, missing by millimetres.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After Norman's par on the 72nd hole at Augusta, he found himself in a sudden-death playoff with Larry Mize and Seve Ballesteros. On the second playoff hole, with Ballesteros eliminated, Mize holed a 47-yard (140-foot) chip to win the tournament.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Norman did, however, win the Australian Masters in February 1987 and the Australian Open later in the year by a record ten shots at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, beating the previous Australian Open record winning margin of eight strokes by Jack Nicklaus in 1971. Norman's 1987 victory at the Australian Open lifted him back above Seve Ballesteros to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Norman had another four wins in Australia in 1988.<ref name="Profile"/> In the U.S., Norman won the MCI Heritage Golf Classic at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in April 1988, inspired by a leukemia-stricken teenager who got his wish to meet Norman and watch him play. The teenage boy was only supposed to watch the golfer for two rounds, but Norman arranged for him to stay until the tournament's completion. After the tournament, Norman awarded the teenager with the trophy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in that year.<ref name="SAHOF"/>
At the 1989 Masters, Norman missed a 12-foot par putt on the 72nd hole, which would have put him into a playoff with Nick Faldo and Scott Hoch.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Norman had another chance at a major in 1989, this time at the Open Championship at Royal Troon. He played a final round of 64, starting his round with six straight birdies, forcing his way into a playoff with Mark Calcavecchia and Wayne Grady. Going into the final playoff hole, Norman and Calcavecchia were tied, but two successive bunker shots by Norman gave Calcavecchia the victory.<ref name="NYT1989">Template:Cite news</ref>
Norman won the Doral-Ryder Open and Memorial Tournament in 1990. He also missed the cut for the first time at Augusta National in the 1990 Masters.<ref name="Profile"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the 1990 Open Championship at St Andrews, Norman began with two rounds of 66, leaving himself sharing the lead with Nick Faldo after 36 holes and the pair four shots ahead of the rest of the field. Faldo then shot a third round of 67, but Norman could only manage 76.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Norman finished the tournament tied for sixth place, while Faldo won by five shots.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web
}}</ref> Although 1990 was not Norman's strongest majors year, he finished at the top of the PGA Tour money list for the second time in his career and won the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award.<ref name="NYT1990">Template:Cite news</ref> Later that year, he won the Australian Masters in his home country for a final and record sixth time.<ref name="AOHistory"/>
After a career slump in the early 1990s, Norman turned to renowned coach Butch Harmon for help. Together, the two rebuilt Norman's game by solving mechanical problems that had crept into his swing. As a result of this training, Norman earned his second major at Royal St George's in the 1993 Open Championship. There, in ideal conditions, Norman defeated a leaderboard consisting of Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Corey Pavin. Norman's final round 64 was the lowest score by a winner in Open history until Henrik Stenson's 63 at the 2016 Open Championship.<ref name="NYT1993">Template:Cite news</ref>
During the following year, 1994, Norman easily beat records for the lowest 18-, 54-, and 72-hole scores at The Players Championship. After opening with a course record-tying 63, he followed with three 67s to give him a final total of 264 strokes, or 24 under par—six strokes better than any previous winner.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Norman finished third at the 1995 Masters and was the runner-up at the 1995 U.S. Open.<ref name="ESPNClassic"/> In June, Norman won his second Memorial Tournament, a victory that marked the beginning of one of his best years on the PGA Tour.<ref name="Profile"/> After his win at the Canon Greater Hartford Open, aided by a chip-in in for eagle on No. 14 in the final round,<ref name="CTPost">Template:Cite news</ref> Norman overtook Nick Price as the number one golfer in the world. Later, he won the NEC World Series of Golf, holing a 70-foot birdie chip shot to defeat Billy Mayfair and Nick Price in a playoff on the first hole.<ref name="GD7">Template:Cite magazine</ref> He ultimately held the No. 1 ranking for 331 weeks in his career.<ref name="USA"/> He also topped the money list for the third time and was named PGA Player of the Year.<ref name="SI1995">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The following year, Norman opened the 1996 Masters Tournament with a course record-tying 63 which put him at the top of the leaderboard. He held the lead through three days of play. Norman took a six-stroke lead into the final round and lost the tournament to Nick Faldo by five strokes, shooting a Sunday 78 to Faldo's 67.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In January 1997, Norman won his largest winner's check to date, one million dollars, when he won the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf. Norman then won two tournaments in 1997, but they were his final victories on the PGA Tour. In 1998, Norman missed part of the season after suffering hip and shoulder injuries.<ref name="Profile"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He contended in the 1999 Masters tournament, tying for the lead with five holes remaining before finishing third, three strokes behind, and again in the 1999 Open Championship, eventually finishing 6th, three strokes behind.
In July 2008, despite not playing in a major for three years, Norman finished nine over par in a tie for third at The Open Championship after being the 54-hole leader by two strokes. At 53, he set the record in becoming the oldest 54-hole leader in a major championship; a record that would last for just one year, until 59-year-old Tom Watson led the 2009 Open Championship after three rounds.<ref name="GM2">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Champions TourEdit
Norman turned 50 in February 2005, but has kept his distance from the senior golf circuit. This is due, in part, because of his focus on business, but also because of lingering hip and back issues. In 2003, Norman said: "Hitting about four million golf balls has created unfortunate wear and tear."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He had knee surgery in October 2005 and February 2006.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Norman believes his back injuries could have been averted had he been introduced to the concept of golf fitness early in his career.<ref name="Norman">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Career achievements and legacyEdit
Norman has earned more than $1 million five times on the U.S. PGA Tour, including three Arnold Palmer Awards as the Tour's leading money winner in 1986, 1990 and 1995.<ref name="Magic"/> He was also the first person in Tour history to surpass $10 million in career earnings. He has 30 top-10 finishes in majors, or more than 38% of those he has entered. His 20 PGA Tour wins in the 1980s and 1990s ranks second behind Tom Watson (21 total) during this span.<ref name="PGAMajors"/> He had the lowest total four round score in the history of The Open Championship 267, in 1993, (since broken by Henrik Stenson in 2016), and The Players Championship (264, in 1994).<ref name="Best267">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="BIO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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Norman's dominance over his peers (despite his comparative lack of success in the majors) was probably best expressed in the Official World Golf Rankings: Norman finished the year on top of the ranking list on seven occasions, in 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1997, and was second at the end of 1988, 1993 and 1994.<ref name="Rankings">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Norman won the PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit six times: 1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1988. He won the European Tour's Order of Merit in 1982, and topped the PGA Tour's money list in 1986, 1990, and 1995. He won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour three times: 1989, 1990 and 1994; and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.<ref name="FTU">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Magic"/><ref name="BIO"/>
In 1986, Norman was awarded the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award, a feat he replicated in 1993 to join Muhammad Ali as a multiple winner of the award (now also joined by Roger Federer and Usain Bolt).<ref name="FiftyFacts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2007, Norman was elevated to "Legend" status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He received the 2008 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, GCSAA's highest honour, at the 2008 Golf Industry Show in Orlando.<ref name="OTM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Norman is a member of The Environmental Institute for Golf's board of trustees and also chairs The institute's advisory council.<ref name="WGEIFG"/> He was also the recipient of the Golf Writers Association of America's 2008 Charlie Bartlett Award.<ref name="PGABartlett"/> In 2009 Norman was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, Greg Norman was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2015, the PGA of Australia established the Greg Norman Medal, which is awarded to the best Australian male or female golfer in a given year.<ref name="PGAOrder"/> He also received the Australian Global Icon Award<ref name="Icon">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the National Golf Course Owner's Association Award of Merit both in 2015.<ref name="NGCOA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Playing styleEdit
Norman had a bold and aggressive style of play.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He is widely regarded as one of the best drivers of the golf ball in his era. In the fourteen seasons between 1984 and 1997, Norman finished in the top 20 in total driving on the PGA Tour twelve times and in the top 6 nine times (including first in 1988, 1989 and 1993).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When driving long and straight off the tee with a persimmon (wood) clubhead in his prime, Norman intimidated many of his fellow professionals. His high ball flight enabled him to carry the ball very long distances. In 2009, Nick Price said: "The best driver I ever saw was Greg Norman."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Greg Norman CompanyEdit
Norman founded the Greg Norman Company [originally known as Great White Shark Enterprises (GWSE)] in 1993 after leaving his previous management group, IMG. The now multi-national corporation is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. He initially used the Reebok-licensed shark logo for his line of apparel; it now represents over a dozen different businesses. The company reports hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually.<ref name="SBD">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Golf">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2016, the company changed its branding to become the "Greg Norman Company."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Norman owns a number of business properties wholly owned by Great White Shark Enterprises.
First established in 1987, Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) has been responsible for the creation of over 100 golf courses across the world.<ref name="Golf"/><ref name="BI">Template:Cite news</ref>
The Greg Norman Collection began in 1992 after Reebok gave Norman his own line of clothing. It reached $100 million in annual sales in 2005. The collection is composed largely of golf-inspired activewear for men and women.<ref name="SBD"/><ref name="Golf"/>
Greg Norman Estates is a wine company that produces 14 different varietals from Australia, California, and Argentina. The brand is known for attracting attention from Wine Spectator, having earned the number 8 spot in the world with a 1998 Reserve Shiraz.
The real estate division of the company is responsible for a variety of developments and projects including the Medalist Village in Hobe Sound, Florida. The Greg Norman Design Group is a separate wing of the real estate division that deals in interior design.<ref name="Golf"/><ref name="West">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="UT">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The Great White Shark Opportunity Fund is an asset-based, debt-lending fund that invests in public and private small- to mid-cap growth companies throughout the world. The platform offers alternative lending and flex capital.<ref name="CNBC"/><ref name="Bloom">Template:Cite news</ref>
A joint venture between Norman and his son, Greg Norman Jr., Shark Wake Park is a brand of wakeboarding complexes. The first park opened in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in June 2016, and a second, larger park opened in June 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida.<ref name="Palm">Template:Cite news</ref>
Norman launched a connected golf cart in 2017 with partners Verizon, GPSi and Club Car. The cart is equipped with touchscreen display for music and GPS while playing a course.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Debuting in 2011, Greg Norman Eyewear provides sunglasses that are designed for use on the golf course. The brand has a partnership with Aspex Eyewear and is distributed in the United States by Aspex.<ref name="Eye">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Greg Norman Australian Prime is a branded line of premium Wagyu steaks and other beef products.<ref name="West"/>
Located in Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Greg Norman Australian Grille offers fine dining with an Australian theme.<ref name="Golf"/>
Non-GWSE properties and partnershipsEdit
In addition to the wholly owned companies under the company umbrella, there are also numerous partially owned companies and partnerships. For instance, Norman invested in and became the ambassador for Vancouver-based GPS Industries in 2004.<ref name="Golf"/> GWSE partnered with Kohlberg & Company to acquire Troon Golf, one of the world's largest golf management companies with over 250 golf courses in its portfolio.<ref name="West"/> Norman is also a leading investment partner in Alchemy Global, a firm that seeks investors for sports startups.<ref name="SBDAlchemy">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Norman is also the brand ambassador and partner to numerous companies including Qantas (a partnership he's been in since 1976),<ref name="GolfInterview">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Cobra Golf,<ref name="Forbes"/> OMEGA,<ref name="SCMP">Template:Cite news</ref> and others.
In 2017, Authentic Brands Group become a controlling partner for the consumer products division of The Greg Norman Company.<ref name="ESPN">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Other venturesEdit
World Golf TourEdit
In November 1994 during the Shark Shootout, Norman announced a proposed international golf circuit known as the World Golf Tour; the tour would have launched in 1995, and consisted of eight limited field tournaments largely held against PGA Tour events, with fields featuring top players on the Sony Rankings. Each tournament would have offered a $600,000 prize for winners (roughly double that of major U.S. tournaments at the time), while a $1 million bonus would be awarded to the "player of the year" at the end of the season. The tour would be backed by Rupert Murdoch, with Fox Sports televising all events; Norman argued that the PGA Tour had not done enough to grow the game of golf internationally. The announcement provoked criticism, with a lack of concrete detail on the events besides scheduled dates, and newspaper columnists describing Norman as acting "greedy" and "self-serving".<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The World Golf Tour had come in the wake of a probe by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, on whether policies requiring PGA Tour players to obtain an exemption to compete with events that conflict with tour events were a violation of competition law; in 1995, the FTC voted to drop and not take action on the probe. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem had already threatened to suspend players who compete in breakaway competitions, while Arnold Palmer gave a speech critical of the proposed event during a meeting of PGA Tour players. Norman attempted to solicit interest from players by slipping contracts under the doors of hotel rooms during the Johnnie Walker World Golf Championship, but no one would respond—signalling an overall lack of interest. Norman was later caught off-guard by the 1997 announcement of the World Golf Championships (WGC), a PGA Tour-backed series of limited field events with a similar concept to his proposed series.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
LIV Golf InvestmentsEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} LIV Golf Investments was led by Greg Norman as CEO from 2021 to 2025 when he was replaced by Scott O'Neil.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The LIV Golf Invitational Series began in 2022 and consist of seven regular-season events where players compete both individually for points and as part of a team. The series provoked strong resistance from the established PGA Tour and European Tour organisations, including suspensions of players who joined the series, and criticism of its financial backing by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
In May 2022 when asked on Sky Sports News about Saudi Arabia's extensive human rights violations and how Norman felt about working for such people he stated: "No they're not my bosses. We're independent, I do not answer to Saudi Arabia, I do not answer to MBS."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> LIV Golf Investments is on the public record as being under the majority ownership of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This fund has been controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler since 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
PhilanthropyEdit
The QBE Shootout, formerly known as the Shark Shootout, is a PGA Tour team golf event hosted by Greg Norman. The event is played at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida. The Shootout benefits CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.<ref name="Naples"/> The Greg Norman Golf Foundation was formed by Greg Norman and his father Merv Norman in 1987. The foundation provides professional guidance and instruction throughout Queensland to school students and those in other educational establishments, children with specific physical disabilities, and junior members of golf clubs.<ref>[1] Template:Webarchive</ref> The Environmental Institute for Golf the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. Norman became a Trustee of the Institute and a member of its advisory council in 2004.<ref name="WGEIFG"/>
BroadcastingEdit
On 23 April 2014, Fox Sports announced that Norman would join Joe Buck as its lead commentary team for its coverage of the USGA's championships beginning in 2015.<ref name="thr-bucknorman">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, following criticism of his performance at the 2015 U.S. Open, it was announced in January 2016 that Paul Azinger would replace Norman as the lead golf analyst for Fox Sports.<ref name=trib-azinger>Template:Cite news</ref>
AutobiographyEdit
Norman released his autobiography, titled The Way of the Shark, in 2006.<ref name="Today">Template:Cite news</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
Norman had a brief romance with British tennis player Sue Barker<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> before he met Laura Andrassy, an American flight attendant. Norman married Andrassy in July 1981. They had two children—Greg Norman Jr.<ref name="Palm"/> and Morgan-Leigh.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They divorced in 2006, with Andrassy receiving a $105 million settlement. He married former World No. 1 tennis player Chris Evert on Paradise Island in the Bahamas in June 2008, but they separated after only 15 months and were subsequently divorced.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2010, Norman married interior designer Kirsten Kutner<ref name=TheAustralianGrand>Template:Cite news</ref> on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, with Greg Jr. as his best man.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Norman has two grandchildren.<ref name=TheAustralianGrand/>
In December 2020, Norman was hospitalized with COVID-19. While in hospital, he shared an update on Instagram saying, "It's been an ugly one. I for one am looking forward to getting out of this quarantine and looking forward to building whatever the great future is for 2021 and beyond."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Political viewsEdit
Norman was accused by US Congressman Tim Burchett of promoting Saudi Arabian “propaganda” through his involvement with the LIV series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Norman has rejected this criticism.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Norman was a vocal supporter of the presidency and policies of Donald Trump. "(From) my business perspective, he’s done a phenomenal job," Norman told one publication about Trump. "He has pretty much stuck to all his promises he made when he was elected."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Professional wins (88)Edit
PGA Tour wins (20)Edit
| Legend |
|---|
| Major championships (2) |
| Players Championships (1) |
| Other PGA Tour (17) |
*Note: The 1990 Memorial Tournament was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
PGA Tour playoff record (4–8)
European Tour wins (14)Edit
| Legend |
|---|
| Major championships (2) |
| Other European Tour (12) |
European Tour playoff record (1–6)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1984 | U.S. Open | Template:Flagicon Fuzzy Zoeller | Lost 18-hole playoff; Zoeller: −3 (67), Norman: +5 (75) |
| 2 | 1986 | Panasonic European Open | Template:Flagicon Ken Brown | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 3 | 1987 | Masters Tournament | Template:Flagicon Seve Ballesteros, Template:Flagicon Larry Mize | Mize won with birdie on second extra hole Ballesteros eliminated by par on first hole |
| 4 | 1989 | The Open Championship | Template:Flagicon Mark Calcavecchia, Template:Flagicon Wayne Grady | Calcavecchia won four-hole aggregate playoff; Calcavecchia: −2 (4-3-3-3=13), Grady: +1 (4-4-4-4=16), Norman: x (3-3-4-x=x) |
| 5 | 1993 | PGA Championship | Template:Flagicon Paul Azinger | Lost to par on second extra hole |
| 6 | 1997 | Dubai Desert Classic | Template:Flagicon Richard Green, Template:Flagicon Ian Woosnam | Green won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 7 | 1997 | Peugeot Open de España | Template:Flagicon Mark James | Lost to par on third extra hole |
PGA of Japan Tour wins (2)Edit
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 Apr 1989 | The Crowns | −8 (65-68-71-68=272) | 3 strokes | Template:Flagicon Blaine McCallister, Template:Flagicon Koichi Suzuki |
| 2 | 14 Nov 1993 | Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters | −16 (70-67-67-68=272) | 1 stroke | Template:Flagicon Yoshi Mizumaki |
Asia Golf Circuit wins (2)Edit
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 Feb 1979 | Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open | −6 (70-66-69-68=273) | 3 strokes | Template:Flagicon Chen Tze-ming, Template:Flagicon Hsu Chi-san, Template:Flagicon Lu Hsi-chuen |
| 2 | 27 Feb 1983 | Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open (2) | −6 (68-66=134)* | 3 strokes | Template:Flagicon Mark James |
*Note: The 1983 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.
PGA Tour of Australasia wins (33)Edit
| Legend |
|---|
| Flagship events (2) |
| Other PGA Tour of Australasia (31) |
*Note: The 1985 National Panasonic Australian Open was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (1–2)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1983 | National Panasonic New South Wales Open | Template:Flagicon David Graham | Won with par on second extra hole |
| 2 | 1988 | Australian PGA Championship | Template:Flagicon Wayne Grady | Lost to par on fourth extra hole |
| 3 | 1997 | Holden Australian Open | Template:Flagicon Lee Westwood | Lost to par on fourth extra hole |
Other wins (19)Edit
Other playoff record (3–1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1978 | Gilbey's Gin South Seas Classic | Template:Flagicon Sandy Galbraith | Won with par on third extra hole |
| 2 | 1992 | Johnnie Walker World Golf Championship | Template:Flagicon Nick Faldo | Lost to par on first extra hole |
| 3 | 1995 | Fred Meyer Challenge (with Template:Flagicon Brad Faxon) |
Template:Flagicon Paul Azinger and Template:Flagicon Payne Stewart | Won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 4 | 1998 | Franklin Templeton Shark Shootout (with Template:Flagicon Steve Elkington) |
Template:Flagicon John Cook and Template:Flagicon Peter Jacobsen | Won with birdie on third extra hole |
Major championshipsEdit
Wins (2)Edit
| Year | Championship | 54 holes | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Open Championship | 1 shot lead | E (74-63-74-69=280) | 5 strokes | Template:Flagicon Gordon J. Brand |
| 1993 | The Open Championship (2) | 1 shot deficit | −13 (66-68-69-64=267) | 2 strokes | Template:Flagicon Nick Faldo |
Results timelineEdit
| Tournament | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | |||
| U.S. Open | T48 | ||
| The Open Championship | CUT | T29 | T10 |
| PGA Championship |
| Tournament | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | 4 | T36 | T30 | T25 | T47 | T2 | T2 | T5 | T3 | |
| U.S. Open | T33 | T50 | 2 | T15 | T12 | T51 | WD | T33 | ||
| The Open Championship | CUT | T31 | T27 | T19 | T6 | T16 | 1 | T35 | T2 | |
| PGA Championship | T4 | T5 | T42 | T39 | CUT | 2 | 70 | T9 | T12 |
| Tournament | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | CUT | CUT | T6 | T31 | T18 | T3 | 2 | CUT | CUT | 3 |
| U.S. Open | T5 | WD | CUT | T6 | 2 | T10 | CUT | CUT | ||
| The Open Championship | T6 | T9 | 18 | 1 | T11 | T15 | T7 | T36 | 6 | |
| PGA Championship | T19 | T32 | T15 | 2 | T4 | T20 | T17 | T13 | CUT |
| Tournament | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | T11 | CUT | T36 | CUT | ||||||
| U.S. Open | CUT | T59 | ||||||||
| The Open Championship | T18 | T18 | CUT | T60 | T3 | CUT | ||||
| PGA Championship | CUT | T29 | T53 | CUT |
Template:Legend
Template:Legend
Template:Legend
CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1977 and 1980 Open Championships)
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place.
SummaryEdit
| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Tournament | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 23 | 17 |
| U.S. Open | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 13 |
| The Open Championship | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 27 | 23 |
| PGA Championship | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 22 | 18 |
| Totals | 2 | 8 | 4 | 20 | 30 | 48 | 91 | 71 |
- Most consecutive cuts made: 18 (1981 Masters – 1985 Open Championship)
- Longest streak of top-10s: 3 (three times)
The Players ChampionshipEdit
Wins (1)Edit
| Year | Championship | 54 holes | Winning score | Margin | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | The Players Championship | 4 shot lead | −24 (63-67-67-67=264) | 4 strokes | Template:Flagicon Fuzzy Zoeller |
Results timelineEdit
| Tournament | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Players Championship | T63 | CUT | T49 | T33 | T4 | T11 | T4 | T16 | T63 | T35 | T3 | 1 | T37 | CUT | T53 | CUT | T53 | CUT | CUT | WD | T81 |
Template:Legend
Template:Legend
Template:Legend
CUT = missed the halfway cut
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place.
Results in World Golf ChampionshipsEdit
| Tournament | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match Play | R32 | R64 | ||
| Championship | NT1 | |||
| Invitational | T25 | T31 | 35 | T55 |
1Cancelled due to 9/11
Template:Legend
QF, R16, R32, R64 = round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
NT = no tournament
Results in senior major championshipsEdit
| Tournament | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior PGA Championship | T6 | T49 | ||||||
| Senior Players Championship | T53 | |||||||
| U.S. Senior Open | 4 | 4 | T4 | |||||
| Senior British Open Championship | 3 | T5 | T6 | CUT |
Template:Legend
Template:Legend
CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Note: Norman never played in The Tradition.
Team appearancesEdit
Amateur
- Australian Men's Interstate Teams Matches (representing Queensland): 1973, 1974
Professional
- World Cup (representing Australia): 1976, 1978
- Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 1982
- Dunhill Cup (representing Australia): 1985 (winners), 1986 (winners), 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996
- Four Tours World Championship (representing Australasia): 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989
- Presidents Cup (International team): 1996, 1998 (winners), 2000, 2009 (non-playing captain)
- Alfred Dunhill Challenge (representing Australasia): 1995
- Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing PGA Tour): 1993, 1994 (winners)
See alsoEdit
- List of golf courses designed by Greg Norman
- List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards
- List of golfers with most European Tour wins
- List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins
- List of men's major championships winning golfers
- The Vintage Golf Course
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Official website
- Template:PGATour player
- Template:EuroTour player
- Template:JapanTour player
- Template:OWGR
- Template:Webarchive
Template:Golf world number ones (men) Template:The Open champions Template:PGA Players of the Year Template:BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year Template:European Tour Order of Merit winners Template:Navboxes Template:Players Championship champions