Greg Norman

[droogy33]

It really is quite amazing what The Shark is pulling off this week.

This kind of ranks right up there with Jack's 1998 Masters, and Ben Hogan's 1967 Masters, as legends in their 50s making one last run at a major title.

But don't ever forget what the wonderful Sam Snead did in the 1970s. In his 60s, the Slammer finished t-4th at the 1972 PGA Championship, and t-3rd at the 1974 PGA Championship.

[coralpro]

I'm not all that surprised because all he was lacking was the desire, not the ability. With his new wife he seems to now have the desire to play when he feels like it. I think Crissy is a good mental coach for him and has levelled his life out. We'll see if he can repeat but three straight days says he is focused.

[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by coralpro

..I think Crissy is a good mental coach for him and has levelled his life out. We'll see if he can repeat but three straight days says he is focused.

If we could transplant her focus and competitive drive into him for tomorrow, he'd win it going away.

[coralpro]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

If we could transplant her focus and competitive drive into him for tomorrow, he'd win it going away.

We'll see. I think she has worked wonders for him and according to the reports is he doesn't seem to lose his temper anymore which is a rareity in itself. I look for a great level round out of him tomorrow.

[droogy33]

The Greg Norman I remember always looked great for three rounds, then found any number of ways to blow it on Sunday. I doubt he has changed much, but we'll see. Should make for fascinating viewing, though.

[stlcard_25]

Originally Posted by droogy33

The Greg Norman I remember always looked great for three rounds, then found any number of ways to blow it on Sunday. I doubt he has changed much, but we'll see. Should make for fascinating viewing, though.

Sadly, that has always been the case with Greg. Greg Norman with a Tiger mindset on Sunday would have double-digit major wins. He's been beaten by some plain lucky breaks by others but he has imploded himself on occasion. I truly hope we see a good, solid round out of Greg tomorrow..a 72 or thereabouts...and if someone beats that, then hats off to them.

[rodney_c]

I know it would be great for Padraig to get 2 in a row, but Greg would be such a story, it's a great pairing and difficult to pick who to cheer for.

[Ty_Webb]

Harrington two in a row would be a big story, but a 53 year old winning a major championship would be unprecedented. Nothing like it has ever happened before. Whatever happens tomorrow, I think that (at least) two of the majors this year will stick in the mind for a very very long time to come.

[JustPlainWill]

As I write, Norman is three back with two holes to play. Looks like the fairy tale is over---unless something really unlikely happens. Greg Norman gets my kudos though. Great job, Greg. You represented all of the golfers and men over 50 very well.

[droogy33]

Yes, it was a great week for The Shark. This will be remembered for many, many years.

And to think, most people thought we'd never again see Greg at The Masters. But, with his t-3rd finish, we'll see him at Augusta in 2009.

[droogy33]

After his round, Greg was interviewed by the classy and gracious Judy Rankin, who informed Greg that he had now qualified to play in next year's Masters. Greg was genuinely surprised.

[Bulls9999]

Yea, I agree. If you've seen Greg play lately, he's been spot on. I saw him in some televised team competition (I think he was paired with Bubba Watson?) in Florida back in Nov. or Dec.? and some other event....you can tell he was still competitive with his play. Hopefully he'll take the opportunity to play in the 2009 Masters. The wind just killed his chances today.

Is the Masters the shortest of the 4 Major venues? (or, is anything ever 'short' anymore?)

Originally Posted by coralpro

I'm not all that surprised because all he was lacking was the desire, not the ability. With his new wife he seems to now have the desire to play when he feels like it. I think Crissy is a good mental coach for him and has levelled his life out. We'll see if he can repeat but three straight days says he is focused.

[coralpro]

Originally Posted by Bulls9999

Yea, I agree. If you've seen Greg play lately, he's been spot on. I saw him in some televised team competition (I think he was paired with Bubba Watson?) in Florida back in Nov. or Dec.? and some other event....you can tell he was still competitive with his play. Hopefully he'll take the opportunity to play in the 2009 Masters. The wind just killed his chances today.

Is the Masters the shortest of the 4 Major venues? (or, is anything ever 'short' anymore?)

The Masters is one of the longest now. I think it is a little over 7200 normally and can play to over 7400. With the kind of greens that were designed mainly for short iron approaches it makes it tougher to play especially when they run it hard and fast. It brings the luck factor in more.

[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by coralpro

The Masters is one of the longest now. I think it is a little over 7200 normally and can play to over 7400. With the kind of greens that were designed mainly for short iron approaches it makes it tougher to play especially when they run it hard and fast. It brings the luck factor in more.

Distance won't be a problem for Norman. He was consistently outdriving Harrington on Sunday who is not short. His short game still looks pretty solid too. His biggest problem will be hitting greens. It's really amazing that he did as well as he did for 3 days as little as he's been playing.

[coralpro]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

Distance won't be a problem for Norman. He was consistently outdriving Harrington on Sunday who is not short. His short game still looks pretty solid too. His biggest problem will be hitting greens. It's really amazing that he did as well as he did for 3 days as little as he's been playing.

But the greens were soft and he did ok in that aspect. He just didn't make the putts as he had during the other three days. He has played well at Augusta National so I believe he has a chance at least to be in the top 20 possibly and depending on what Crissy does with him he might improve on that. Tiger should be back and I think that says who the favorite will be. I wouldn't count out Anthony Kim from here on out. With decent putting he would have had a cake walk.

[xnavyct]

I saw today that he received an invite to the PGA Championship based on his finish last weekend.....think he'll go ????

[droogy33]

Originally Posted by coralpro

The Masters is one of the longest now. I think it is a little over 7200 normally and can play to over 7400. With the kind of greens that were designed mainly for short iron approaches it makes it tougher to play especially when they run it hard and fast. It brings the luck factor in more.

CP, do you know what you're talking about?

[droogy33]

Originally Posted by Bulls9999

Is the Masters the shortest of the 4 Major venues? (or, is anything ever 'short' anymore?)

Well, Bulls, seeing as three of the majors use a rotation of several courses, you're talking about many courses.

Augusta now clocks in at 7,445 yards, which really isn't that long these days. And most of the clubs which host majors, or are seeking to host, have brought their venues into the modern age with redesigns. Most are, at least, playing 103 yards per par.

[JimSomebody]

Read that Chris Evert says Greg is too good of an athlete to be a golfer, no offense to golfers. I think I get what she means.

[coralpro]

Originally Posted by droogy33

CP, do you know what you're talking about?

Hello, duh. YES, I do. The augusta national course measures 7445 from the tips should they decide to play it that far back on all holes. I don't try and keep up with round to round tee locations because they are very seldom accurate anyway. Many times you hear one yardage, then in reality they're not playing from the far back tee location, so it is just something the commentators throw out there.

[Bulls9999]

Eiyeyeyeee... I didn't realize it was that long....gee. How long do you think they can make Pro courses? at this rate, will we be seeing 8,000 yrd venues by 2012?, just have to increase them by 100 yrds/yr to get there.

Originally Posted by droogy33

Well, Bulls, seeing as three of the majors use a rotation of several courses, you're talking about many courses.

Augusta now clocks in at 7,445 yards, which really isn't that long these days. And most of the clubs which host majors, or are seeking to host, have brought their venues into the modern age with redesigns. Most are, at least, playing 103 yards per par.

[coralpro]

Courses don't have to be long to be great and tough. Look at Sawgrass. Add some heavier wind and hot dry days and it would be a killer. Courses designed right even for the pros don't have to be over 7,000 at the most.