Norman - Where would this rank ?

[Wazmankg]

I know I'm jumping the gun, but it looks like The Shark may have a couple of strokes on the field heading into the final round. I don't think there's been anything close in golf. It would make Nicklaus' 86 Masters win seem positively run-of-the-mill. 53 years old, doesn't play competitively often and he hasn't even played in a major in 3 years. Unbelievable. Where would a Norman victory rank in your list of sports accomplishments by those considered past their prime ?

[droogy33]

Yes, Waz, if Greg actually holds on and wins, it would be one of the greatest stories in the history of golf.

[xnavyct]

I'd put it as the top accomplishment in golf ever for an 'older' player, and one of the top 2 or 3 in any sport - people talk about how amazing Nicklaus winning the Masters in 86 was, but this would absolutely top that.

The only thing I can think of offhand that comes to mind as far as something done by an older player in any sport that maybe would eclipse it would be Nolan Ryan throwing his 6th and 7th no hitters at ages 43 and 44...that is something I don't think you'll ever see again.

I'll be rooting for The Shark tomorrow.

[xnavyct]

I'm also thinking too - what a shot in the arm this could be for MacGregor ?? I have a soft spot for the MacGregors and Wilsons of the the golf world - clubs that grandpa played, but can't spend the marketing dollars now the OEM behemoths do. And they (Wilson and MacGregor) would have won back-to-back Opens!

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

I know I'm jumping the gun, but it looks like The Shark may have a couple of strokes on the field heading into the final round. I don't think there's been anything close in golf. It would make Nicklaus' 86 Masters win seem positively run-of-the-mill. 53 years old, doesn't play competitively often and he hasn't even played in a major in 3 years. Unbelievable. Where would a Norman victory rank in your list of sports accomplishments by those considered past their prime ?

Numero uno. In fact, I was saying earlier today, this would (in my eyes) rank higher on the human interest scale than if Tiger were leading this tournament right now.

Jack is still the oldest player to win a major, right (at 46)? This would go down in the annals of sports as possibly the biggest unexpected win in golf history.

[straightshooter]

This would be huge, especially because he gets another shot to redeem himself from past losses during which he also went into the final round with a lead.

[Bolt Fore]

It would be huge but I"m afraid he's setting himself up for one more disapointment

[Ty_Webb]

I don't think there's much pressure on Greg. Back in the 80s and 90s he was just about the best player around, so there was so much expectation on him. Now, there's no expectation, so he doesn't really have anything to lose.

His winning this would be about the equivalent of an amateur winning a major in this day and age. Utterly unexpected. I really hope he does it. What a story it will be. And good for Greg. I'm so happy for him.

[xnavyct]

I haven't seen - what time Eastern (US) does Norman tee off tomorrow ????

[essurfer]

It would be great. Rooting for him. I really see no reason that a 53 year old cant win.

[xnavyct]

Originally Posted by xnavyct

I haven't seen - what time Eastern (US) does Norman tee off tomorrow ????

Never mind, found it!

9.20 AM

[straightshooter]

Originally Posted by xnavyct

Never mind, found it!

9.20 AM

You're welcome!

[rodney_c]

Originally Posted by Ty_Webb

I don't think there's much pressure on Greg. Back in the 80s and 90s he was just about the best player around, so there was so much expectation on him. Now, there's no expectation, so he doesn't really have anything to lose.

His winning this would be about the equivalent of an amateur winning a major in this day and age. Utterly unexpected.

Utterly unexpcted before the tournament sure. It wouldn't be utterly unexpected at this stage.
He is leading, and there are expectations there, and he is under pressure, make no mistake about it.

[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by mr3856a

Numero uno. In fact, I was saying earlier today, this would (in my eyes) rank higher on the human interest scale than if Tiger were leading this tournament right now.

Jack is still the oldest player to win a major, right (at 46)? This would go down in the annals of sports as possibly the biggest unexpected win in golf history.

Julius Boros was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA, but like Jack he was still playing at least semi-regularly on the tour.

[Ty_Webb]

Originally Posted by rodney_c

Utterly unexpcted before the tournament sure. It wouldn't be utterly unexpected at this stage.
He is leading, and there are expectations there, and he is under pressure, make no mistake about it.

There are some yes and there's pressure there I know, but it's a heck of a lot less than he would have been under in 1986 for example.

For a young player, playing badly with the lead is the kind of thing that can do real harm to a career. Norman's career has been "over" for years now, so losing won't really do him any harm. Sure he'd rather win and he'd love to do so, but that's a whole lot different (and IMO easier to deal with) kind of pressure than he was under when he was at the pinnacle of the game.

[Frank-0-Sport]

Greetings ....

My calculator blew a micro-gasket trying to figure it out. If the Shark pulls it off, I guess the best I could say is ... Good-Onya-Mate!

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Sport