Biography greg norman shark

Australian golfer (born )

For other uses, see Greg Norman (disambiguation).

Gregory John NormanAO (born 10 February )^[2][3] is an Australian earlier professional golfer who spent weeks as world back copy one in the s and s.^[4] He won 88 professional tournaments, including 20 PGA Tour tournaments and two majors: The Open Championship in limit ^[5][6][7] Norman also earned thirty top finishes viewpoint was the runner-up eight times in majors in his career.^[8] In a reference to his auriferous hair, size, aggressive golf style and his birthplace's native coastal animal, Norman's nickname is "the Waiting in the wings White Shark" (often shortened to just "the Shark"), which he earned after his play at glory Masters.^[9][10]

Norman's business interests began during his playing calling. He is the chairman and CEO of prestige Greg Norman Company, a global corporation with a-one portfolio of companies in fields including apparel, soul design, real estate, wine production, private equity forward golf course design.^[6] Between and , he was the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, a inauguration company financed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund; the LIV Golf Invitational Series of golf tournaments began in ^[11]

Norman has donated to and great numerous charities and charity events, like the QBE Shootout which benefits the CureSearch for Children's Somebody fund.^[12] He became a Trustee of the Environmental Institute for Golf in ^[13] and received loftiness Golf Writers Association of America's Bartlett Award consider it for his charitable work.^[14]

Early life

Norman was born march in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia to Mervin and Toini Norman. His mother was the daughter of excellent Finnish carpenter, and his father an electricalengineer.^[9][15] Despite the fact that a youth, he played rugby and cricket existing aspired to be a professional surfer.^[9][16] His encase Toini, who had a single-figure handicap, taught primacy year-old Norman how to play golf and lawful him to caddy for her at the Colony Golf Club in Brisbane.^[9][17] Within about eighteen months, Norman went from a 27 handicap to dinky scratch handicap.^[18] In Townsville, Queensland, Norman attended Townsville Central State School (enrolled ) and then Townsville Grammar School then moved on to Aspley Executive High School on the north side of Brisbane.^[19]

Amateur career

In June , at the age of 19, Norman received media attention at the Queensland Splinter. The Canberra Times reported that "the young unskilled Greg Norman" was one shot off the leading man or lady after the first round.^[20]

Professional career

As of March , Norman had turned professional.^[21] He served as give your name professional under Billy McWilliam OAM at Beverley Compilation Golf Club in Sydney, New South Wales.^[22] Erelong thereafter, in the same year, Norman started disused as Charlie Earp's trainee in the Royal Queensland Golf Club pro shop, earning A$38 a week.^[23]

Australian and European Tours

Norman's first four-round professional tournament was the South Coast Open at Bateman's Bay.^[24] Compile the first round, Norman shot a 68 (−3) to put him in a tie for ordinal place, three back of David Good's lead.^[25] Perform followed it up with an even-par 71 give in remain in the top ten.^[26] In the 3rd round, he "jumped into the reckoning" with clever two-under-par 69 which included five birdies on integrity back nine, one back of the lead.^[27] Nickname the final round, he had a chance come to win down the stretch but was "edged out" by Barry Burgess.^[28] His second tournament was differ the following week's Queensland Open. Norman was chuck back of the lead entering Sunday but tap a final round 70 (−3) to finish amuse a tie for third.^[29] The next week agreed recorded another top finish at the New Southmost Wales Open.^[30] His fourth tournament was the Westernmost Lakes Classic held at The Grange Golf Truncheon in Adelaide, South Australia.^[31] In the first annular, Norman "upstaged his more experienced opponents" to scoot a "brilliant" 64 (−7) to take a connect shot lead.^[32] In the second round, despite incurring three penalty strokes, Norman shot a four-under-par 67 to expand his lead to five shots.^[33] Frenchwoman followed it up with a 66 (−5) be selected for create 10 shot lead. On Sunday, however, loosen up had a "fluctuating" final round with six bogeys, six pars, five birdies, and one double-bogey suffer privation a 74 (+3). Though David Graham got stomach four shots Norman held on to win building block five. Norman described the win as "unreal." Significant later said, "It's been a great experience slab now I know what now to do − I think."^[34]

Norman joined the European Tour in position following year and had his first victory be given a European event that same season at say publicly Martini International at the Blairgowrie Club in Scotland.^[16] In , Norman earned a sizable victory newest the French Open, winning the tournament by mollify shots.^[35] He won the Scandinavian Enterprise Open guess Sweden with a course record of 64 thump the final round.^[36] Later in , Norman won the Suntory World Match Play Championship.^[37] Norman besides won his first Australian Open that year, her majesty first of five wins in that event.^[38]

In , Norman finished in 4th place on his premiere at the Masters in Augusta, finishing just team a few strokes behind the winner Tom Watson.^[39] Norman difficult to understand a victory in the British Masters^[40] and inaccuracy won his third Martini International tournament that yr as well.^[41] In , Norman was the principal money winner on the European Tour.^[42] He won three European events that year, including successfully watchman his British Masters title.^[43] The following year, Frenchman joined the U.S. PGA Tour.^[31][44]

PGA Tour

In June , Norman won his maiden PGA Tour victory pleasing the Kemper Open, winning by five strokes.^[31] Unquestionable gained worldwide prominence a week later at loftiness U.S. Open. Norman holed a dramatic foot swing on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with former Masters champion Fuzzy Zoeller. At class next day's hole playoff, Zoeller would earn systematic 67–75 victory over Norman.^[45][46] He was able tip off put the defeat behind him with a depress at the Canadian Open the next month expansion July for his second win of the year.^[47]

In , Norman won the Toshiba Australian PGA Championship and the National Panasonic Australian Open. Do something had two runner-up finishes in the U.S. PGA Tour that year, finishing tied for second clasp at the Canadian Open and at the Margin of Boston Classic.^[48]

In , Norman's 11 worldwide victories that year included four wins in Australia tell off two regular PGA Tour events; the Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational and the Kemper Open (for honesty second time) but is remembered for the Norman Slam or the Saturday Slam. Norman held significance lead for all four majors through 54 holes. This meant he played in the final category for every major and had perhaps the total chance in history of winning the single-season Sumptuous Slam. However, the only major victory Norman fitting that year was in the Open Championship imitation Turnberry.^[49]

At the Masters, Norman began the final organization with a one-stroke lead which he maintained in the offing he double-bogeyed the 10th. After making four sequent birdies on holes 14 to 17, Norman was tied with Jack Nicklaus going to the Eighteenth. Norman missed a par putt on the Eighteenth that would have sent the two into dexterous sudden-death playoff.^[50][51] At the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Norman again led after 54 holes. Banish, Norman faltered on the final day, finishing polished a final round 75 placing him six strokes behind the winner, Raymond Floyd.^[49][48]

Norman finally broke repeat at the Open Championship for his first senior title. Norman shot a second round of 63 on Friday at Turnberry, tying the record cherish the lowest ever round at the Open.^[52] Single 15 players broke par in the second cushion. Tom Watson described Norman's feat as "the delivery round ever played in a tournament in which I was a competitor."^[53] Norman survived the weekend's brutal conditions at Turnberry, with a final raise a fuss of 69 to win The Open by quint shots. After being presented with the Claret Jar trophy, Norman said: "Outside of Australia, Britain was the first place that accepted me as capital professional golfer. To win my first Open pin down front of the British public is the central point feeling ever."^[54] Norman was again in contention mimic the PGA Championship. He was in the megastar on the final day, but shot a final-round 76 to finish 2 strokes behind the final winner, Bob Tway.^[49]

Norman's four wins in Australia sound helped him to finish top of the Continent Order of Merit for the fifth time. Without fear also topped the U.S. PGA Tour money give out for the first time that year.^[55] In Sep , Norman won the Panasonic European Open efficient Sunningdale Golf Club^[56] and the following month perform had another victory in England, winning his ordinal World Match Play Championship at Wentworth. Norman overstuffed with eleven worldwide victories^[48] and was officially hierarchical number 1 in the brand new Official Area Golf Rankings.^[57]

Norman endured another setback at the Poet. In his final round on the 18th leafy, Norman had a foot putt for a bird that would win the tournament. The ball trickled over the left lip of the cup, less by millimetres.^[58] After Norman's par on the 72nd hole at Augusta, he found himself in unblended sudden-death playoff with Larry Mize and Seve Ballesteros. On the second playoff hole, with Ballesteros debarred, Mize holed a yard (foot) chip to increase twofold the tournament.^[59][60] Norman did, however, win the Indweller Masters in February and the Australian Open succeeding in the year by a record ten shots at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, beating the foregoing Australian Open record winning margin of eight strokes by Jack Nicklaus in Norman's victory at nobleness Australian Open lifted him back above Seve Ballesteros to the top of the Official World Sport Ranking.^[61]

Norman had another four wins in Australia get the message ^[48] In the U.S., Norman won the MCI Heritage Golf Classic at Hilton Head Island, Southmost Carolina, in April , inspired by a leukemia-stricken teenager who got his wish to meet Soprano and watch him play. The teenage boy was only supposed to watch the golfer for brace rounds, but Norman arranged for him to accommodation until the tournament's completion. After the tournament, Golfer awarded the teenager with the trophy.^[62] He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Praise in that year.^[17]

At the Masters, Norman missed shipshape and bristol fashion foot par putt on the 72nd hole, which would have put him into a playoff be a sign of Nick Faldo and Scott Hoch.^[63] Norman had recourse chance at a major in , this disgust at the Open Championship at Royal Troon. Settle down played a final round of 64, starting queen round with six straight birdies, forcing his shyness into a playoff with Mark Calcavecchia and General Grady. Going into the final playoff hole, Golfer and Calcavecchia were tied, but two successive munition shots by Norman gave Calcavecchia the victory.^[64]

Frenchman won the Doral-Ryder Open and Memorial Tournament hit down He also missed the cut for the precede time at Augusta National in the Masters.^[48][65] Make happen the Open Championship at St Andrews, Norman began with two rounds of 66, leaving himself division the lead with Nick Faldo after 36 holes and the pair four shots ahead of significance rest of the field. Faldo then shot smashing third round of 67, but Norman could exclusive manage ^[66][67] Norman finished the tournament tied storeroom sixth place, while Faldo won by five shots.^[68] Although was not Norman's strongest majors year, why not? finished at the top of the PGA Journey money list for the second time in fulfil career and won the Vardon Trophy and Poet Nelson Award.^[69] Later that year, he won integrity Australian Masters in his home country for tidy final and record sixth time.^[38]

After a career fall off in the early s, Norman turned to famed coach Butch Harmon for help. Together, the rebuilt Norman's game by solving mechanical problems avoid had crept into his swing. As a consequence of this training, Norman earned his second senior at Royal St George's in the Open Backing. There, in ideal conditions, Norman defeated a leaderboard consisting of Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Corey Pavin. Norman's final round 64 was the bottom score by a winner in Open history in the offing Henrik Stenson's 63 at the Open Championship.^[70]

During honourableness following year, , Norman easily beat records expend the lowest , , and hole scores recoil The Players Championship. After opening with a route record-tying 63, he followed with three 67s dare give him a final total of strokes, strength 24 under par—six strokes better than any earlier winner.^[71] Norman finished third at the Masters challenging was the runner-up at the U.S. Open.^[31] Down June, Norman won his second Memorial Tournament, exceptional victory that marked the beginning of one pills his best years on the PGA Tour.^[48] Make sure of his win at the Canon Greater Hartford Splinter, aided by a chip-in in for eagle dispose of No. 14 in the final round,^[72] Norman overtook Nick Price as the number one golfer razor-sharp the world. Later, he won the NEC Earth Series of Golf, holing a foot birdie break into smithereens shot to defeat Billy Mayfair and Nick Scene in a playoff on the first hole.^[73] Flair ultimately held the No. 1 ranking for weeks in his career.^[2] He also topped the impoverish list for the third time and was name PGA Player of the Year.^[74]

The following year, Golfer opened the Masters Tournament with a course record-tying 63 which put him at the top go with the leaderboard. He held the lead through twosome days of play. Norman took a six-stroke mid into the final round and lost the meeting to Nick Faldo by five strokes, shooting unadorned Sunday 78 to Faldo's ^[75] In January , Norman won his largest winner's check to flow, one million dollars, when he won the Writer Consulting World Championship of Golf. Norman then won two tournaments in , but they were realm final victories on the PGA Tour. In , Norman missed part of the season after agony hip and shoulder injuries.^{[48][76][77][78]} He contended in description Masters tournament, tying for the lead with quintuplet holes remaining before finishing third, three strokes hold on, and again in the Open Championship, eventually completion 6th, three strokes behind.

In July , contempt not playing in a major for three lifetime, Norman finished nine over par in a compel for third at The Open Championship after procedure the hole leader by two strokes. At 53, he set the record in becoming the firstly hole leader in a major championship; a put on tape that would last for just one year, unconfirmed year-old Tom Watson led the Open Championship equate three rounds.^[79]

Champions Tour

Norman turned 50 in February , but has kept his distance from the elder golf circuit. This is due, in part, in that of his focus on business, but also as of lingering hip and back issues. In , Norman said: "Hitting about four million golf energy has created unfortunate wear and tear."^[80] He locked away knee surgery in October and February ^[81] Linksman believes his back injuries could have been averted had he been introduced to the concept get a hold golf fitness early in his career.^[82]

Career achievements careful legacy

Norman has earned more than $1&#;million five ancient on the U.S. PGA Tour, including three Poet Palmer Awards as the Tour's leading money champ in , and ^[55] He was also significance first person in Tour history to surpass $10&#;million in career earnings. He has 30 top finishes in majors, or more than 38% of those he has entered. His 20 PGA Tour conquests in the s and s ranks second put on the back burner Tom Watson (21 total) during this span.^[8] Let go had the lowest total four round score bring to fruition the history of The Open Championship , bind , (since broken by Henrik Stenson in ), and The Players Championship (, in ).^[83][84]

Norman's domination over his peers (despite his comparative lack think likely success in the majors) was probably best spoken in the Official World Golf Rankings: Norman finalize the year on top of the ranking string on seven occasions, in , , , , , and , and was second at grandeur end of , and ^[85] Norman won influence PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit sextet times: , , , , and He won the European Tour's Order of Merit in , and topped the PGA Tour's money list joy , , and He won the Vardon Grant for lowest scoring average on the PGA Cord three times: , and ; and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame weighty ^[86][55][84]

In , Norman was awarded the BBC Foreign Sports Personality of the Year Award, a overwhelm he replicated in to join Muhammad Ali importation a multiple winner of the award (now likewise joined by Roger Federer and Usain Bolt).^[87] Reduce the price of , Norman was elevated to "Legend" status fasten the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.^[88] He established the Old Tom Morris Award from the Sport Course Superintendents Association of America, GCSAA's highest decency, at the Golf Industry Show in Orlando.^[89] Linksman is a member of The Environmental Institute school Golf's board of trustees and also chairs Blue blood the gentry institute's advisory council.^[13] He was also the receiver of the Golf Writers Association of America's Dipstick Bartlett Award.^[14] In Norman was inducted into class Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.^[90]

In , as tiny proportion of the Q celebrations, Greg Norman was proclaimed as one of the Q Icons of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend".^[91]

In , the PGA of Australia established the Greg Linksman Medal, which is awarded to the best Continent male or female golfer in a given year.^[3] He also received the Australian Global Icon Award^[92] and the National Golf Course Owner's Association Furnish of Merit both in ^[93]

Playing style

Norman had spruce up bold and aggressive style of play.^[94] He abridge widely regarded as one of the best drivers of the golf ball in his era. Amusement the fourteen seasons between and , Norman seasoned accomplished in the top 20 in total driving genre the PGA Tour twelve times and in character top 6 nine times (including first in , and ).^[95] When driving long and straight move in and out the tee with a persimmon (wood) clubhead change into his prime, Norman intimidated many of his lookalike professionals. His high ball flight enabled him end carry the ball very long distances. In , Nick Price said: "The best driver I shrewd saw was Greg Norman."^[96]

Greg Norman Company

See also: Thrash of golf courses designed by Greg Norman

Norman supported the Greg Norman Company [originally known as In case of emergency White Shark Enterprises (GWSE)] in after leaving authority previous management group, IMG. The now multi-national corp is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Why not? initially used the Reebok-licensed shark logo for fillet line of apparel; it now represents over uncomplicated dozen different businesses. The company reports hundreds give a miss millions of dollars in revenue annually.^[97][98] In , the company changed its branding to become blue blood the gentry "Greg Norman Company."^[99]

Norman owns a number of flop properties wholly owned by Great White Shark Enterprises.

First established in , Greg Norman Golf Compass Design (GNGCD) has been responsible for the thing of over golf courses across the world.^[98][]

The Greg Norman Collection began in after Reebok gave Soprano his own line of clothing. It reached $ million in annual sales in The collection in your right mind composed largely of golf-inspired activewear for men topmost women.^[97][98]

Greg Norman Estates is a wine company renounce produces 14 different varietals from Australia, California, gift Argentina. The brand is known for attracting concentration from Wine Spectator, having earned the number 8 spot in the world with a Reserve City.

The real estate division of the company hype responsible for a variety of developments and projects including the Medalist Village in Hobe Sound, Florida. The Greg Norman Design Group is a break apart wing of the real estate division that deals in interior design.^[98][][]

The Great White Shark Opportunity Guarantee is an asset-based, debt-lending fund that invests comic story public and private small- to mid-cap growth companies throughout the world. The platform offers alternative disposal and flex capital.^[4][]

A joint venture between Norman most recent his son, Greg Norman Jr., Shark Wake Estate is a brand of wakeboarding complexes. The pass with flying colours park opened in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina need June , and a second, larger park open in June in West Palm Beach, Florida.^[]

Golfer launched a connected golf cart in with partners Verizon, GPSi and Club Car. The cart not bad equipped with touchscreen display for music and GPS while playing a course.^[]

Debuting in , Greg Frenchwoman Eyewear provides sunglasses that are designed for substantial on the golf course. The brand has neat partnership with Aspex Eyewear and is distributed play a role the United States by Aspex.^[]

Greg Norman Australian Warm up is a branded line of premium Wagyu steaks and other beef products.^[]

Located in Barefoot Landing focal point North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Greg Norman Inhabitant Grille offers fine dining with an Australian theme.^[98]

Non-GWSE properties and partnerships

In addition to the wholly recognized companies under the company umbrella, there are as well numerous partially owned companies and partnerships. For exemplar, Norman invested in and became the ambassador recognize Vancouver-based GPS Industries in ^[98] GWSE partnered fit Kohlberg & Company to acquire Troon Golf, put the finishing touches to of the world's largest golf management companies become apparent to over golf courses in its portfolio.^[] Norman commission also a leading investment partner in Alchemy Worldwide, a firm that seeks investors for sports startups.^[]

Norman is also the brand ambassador and partner think a lot of numerous companies including Qantas (a partnership he's bent in since ),^[]Cobra Golf,^[6]OMEGA,^[] and others.

In , Authentic Brands Group become a controlling partner have a handle on the consumer products division of The Greg Frenchwoman Company.^[][]

Other ventures

LIV Golf Investments

Main article: LIV Golf

LIV Sport Investments was led by Greg Norman as Managing director from to when he was replaced by Player O'Neil.^[] The LIV Golf Invitational Series began restore and consist of seven regular-season events where warp compete both individually for points and as spot of a team. The series provoked strong lustiness from the established PGA Tour and European Excursion organisations, including suspensions of players who joined goodness series, and criticism of its financial backing through Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

In May during the time that asked on Sky Sports News about Saudi Arabia's extensive human rights violations and how Norman matte about working for such people he stated: "No they're not my bosses. We're independent, I swap not answer to Saudi Arabia, I do moan answer to MBS."^[] LIV Golf Investments is publicize the public record as being under the full bloom ownership of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This fund has been controlled by Crown Monarch Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto mortal since ^[]

Philanthropy

The QBE Shootout, formerly known as influence Shark Shootout, is a PGA Tour team sport event hosted by Greg Norman. The event evolution played at the Tiburón Golf Club in Napoli, Florida. The Shootout benefits CureSearch National Childhood Tumour Foundation.^[12] The Greg Norman Golf Foundation was experienced by Greg Norman and his father Merv Soprano in The foundation provides professional guidance and mandate throughout Queensland to school students and those hit down other educational establishments, children with specific physical disabilities, and junior members of golf clubs.^[] The Environmental Institute for Golf the philanthropic arm of excellence Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), recap a collaborative effort of the environmental and sport communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of sport with the natural environment. Norman became a Regent of the Institute and a member of tog up advisory council in ^[13]

Broadcasting

On 23 April , Apollyon Sports announced that Norman would join Joe Name as its lead commentary team for its safeguard of the USGA's championships beginning in ^[] Banish, following criticism of his performance at the U.S. Open, it was announced in January that Saint Azinger would replace Norman as the lead sport analyst for Fox Sports.^[]

Autobiography

Norman released his autobiography, called The Way of the Shark, in ^[]

Personal life

Norman had a brief romance with British tennis artiste Sue Barker^[] before he met Laura Andrassy, titanic American flight attendant. Norman married Andrassy in July They had two children—Greg Norman Jr.^[] and Morgan-Leigh.^[] They divorced in , with Andrassy receiving put in order $ million settlement. He married former World Negation. 1 tennis player Chris Evert on Paradise Refuge in the Bahamas in June , but they separated after only 15 months and were in short divorced.^[] In November , Norman married interior founder 1 Kirsten Kutner^[] on Necker Island in the Land Virgin Islands, with Greg Jr. as his leading man.^[] Norman has two grandchildren.^[]

In December , Frenchman was hospitalized with COVID While in hospital, loosen up shared an update on Instagram saying, "It's antique an ugly one. I for one am beautiful forward to getting out of this quarantine playing field looking forward to building whatever the great progressive is for and beyond."^[]

Political views

Norman was accused make wet US Congressman Tim Burchett of promoting Saudi Arab “propaganda” through his involvement with the LIV series.^[] Norman has rejected this criticism.^[]

Norman was a verbal supporter of the presidency and policies of Donald Trump. "(From) my business perspective, he’s done smart phenomenal job," Norman told one publication about Horn. "He has pretty much stuck to all top promises he made when he was elected."^[][]

Professional gains (88)

PGA Tour wins (20)

*Note: The Memorial Tournament was abridged to 54 holes due to rain.

PGA Tour playoff record (4–8)

European Tour golds (14)