Castle Rock – While age has diminished the skills that kept him atop the world rankings for 331 weeks in his prime, Greg Norman still cuts a dashing figure on the golf course.
Old enough for the Champions Tour at the age of 51, the Aussie remains The Great White Shark.
Long blond hair, check.
Bright smile, check.
Trademark hat, check.
“He’s gorgeous,” one female patron behind Castle Pines’ 16th green said Thursday at The International.
“He sure has kept himself in shape,” another said.
Yes, he’s in shape, but there has been a lot of rehab involved lately.
Playing his first competitive round of golf since last November’s Franklin Templeton Shootout after undergoing two knee surgeries, Norman is 5 points to the good after the first round. After back surgery in March 2005, Norman entered four full-field events last year – the British Open (tie for 60th), the U.S. (fourth) and Senior British (third) Opens and The International, where he missed the cut.
So, after making birdies on two of his last three holes (16 and 17) on Thursday, Norman wasn’t about to complain about his 5-point day.
“I’m happy with it,” he said. “I wanted to get out and walk the golf course and enjoy myself. I can’t expect too much.
“My timing obviously is a little off. I’m working on getting my rhythm going and fine-tuning a few things.”
But, in listening to the two-time British Open champion who has 20 PGA Tour (including the 1989 International) and 68 international victories to his credit, one gets the feeling the fine-tuning might be fleeting.
“I don’t miss the competition, not really,” Norman said. “It’s hard to pinpoint, maybe it’s because I’ve been away so long.
“I probably won’t play much the rest of this year. I’ve entered the JELD-WEN (a Champions Tour major) but will probably pull out. Then it’s the Merrill Lynch Shootout (which his company produces) and the Australian Open and I’m done.”
If he returns to Castle Pines next year for his 18th International, it will be because of his relationship with tournament founder Jack Vickers. It’s the only reason he’s here this week.
“Jack Vickers, as simple as that,” Norman said. “Jack has been a wonderful supporter of the game of golf and he was really the first to recognize international golf on a global basis with this event. I’m a huge fan of his and it’s a great event.”
Steve McPherson can be reached at 303-820-1891 or smcpherson@denverpost.com.
