COLORADO SPRINGS — The Greg Norman-Chris Evert whirlwind, worldwide, five-week, five-star intercontinental, martinis-shaken-not-stirred seaside/mountainside birdie/bogey/boogie wedding, honeymoon and golf tour from the Bahamas to Britain to The Broadmoor came to an abrupt conclusion Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Senior Open when Norman drained a prickly par putt and Evert sighed.
“We can finally take a breath,” Evert said.
“You won’t see me until December,” Norman said.
Norman’s best drive of the day went about 18 miles — from the airport in Meeker to his 11,500-acre lodge, ranch and Shangri-La in northwest Colorado.
By sundown Sunday, sports’ newest No. 1 fun married couple, a pair of 53-year-old former No. 1s in the world, were rocking and reflecting on the front porch. No golf, no tennis, no paparazzi, no serves and volleys, no buried lies in the bunkers.
The last thing Norman said to Evert before they were swept away in an SUV from The Broadmoor was: “Whew. That’s enough. Let’s go.”
Ah, true love. The only thing purer in life is a 215-yard 7-iron to within 2 feet or a backhand winner from the baseline against Martina.
“It has been an incredible run,” Evert said.
“It’s been good,” Norman said.
Norman shot an even-par 70 in the final round of the USS Open and an even-par 280 for the tournament, his third in three weeks. He finished alone in fourth at the U.S. Senior Open. He had finished tied for third in The (British) Open and tied for fifth in The (British Senior) Open.
Not bad for a fellow who plays more recreational tennis than serious golf these days.
Norman has earned $700,000 in his spare time on the golf course since marrying Evert on June 28, but he was ordered to give his ex-wife $103 million last month.
After the wedding on the beach and honeymoon at The Ocean Club (featured in the last James Bond movie) in Nassau, Bahamas, Norman and Evert flew off to Southport, England, for the British Open, where all Norman did was lead after three rounds and at the halfway point of the final round. He faltered, though. The next week in The Senior Open at Scotland’s Royal Troon, Norman went 75-72-67-68. In the U.S. Senior Open here, he had a pair of 70s sandwiched around 72-68.
One of the greatest players and collapsers in golf history came back big from a self-imposed hiatus. But he didn’t seem particularly thrilled Sunday after his 12 competitive rounds with six at 70 or lower.
“I’m frustrated. I really felt my game was there. I really felt like I hit some quality shots in the last three weeks, and, you know, we can all say the golfing gods aren’t on your side when you don’t win.”
Norman’s Return was an impressive long drive, even if stopped short like a 10-foot putt, especially in helping to fill the Tiger void.
The golfing and tennis and mountain gods have been good to Evert and Norman. Greg won The International tournament at Castle Pines; Chris won her only professional tournament appearance in Denver.
Evert, a Floridian, moved to Aspen when she married former husband and ex-Olympic skier Andy Mill. Norman, an Australian, bought a ranch outside Meeker after visiting the area the week after his first International in 1986. (He has since bought thousands of additional adjoining acres.) Norman put his golf name on the highly regarded Red Sky Ranch golf course near Vail. Evert’s name was etched in the stone here at The Broadmoor when she opened the resort’s world-class tennis center.
Norman won golf’s most prestigious tournament, The Open in Great Britain, twice, but Evert won the most prestigious tournament in her sport, Wimbledon in England, three times. She won 17 Grand Slam events. Norman didn’t win another — although he led all four Grand Slam events starting the last round in 1986.
Apart, they have won more than two hundred tournaments from Pikes Peak to the Great Barrier Reef, in two sports. Together, they haven’t won a mixed doubles or a two-person best-ball. Yet.
“Greg and I talked a lot this week about the effects of the altitude in Colorado on the tennis and golf games. I think it really helps the golfers and hurts the tennis players,” said Evert, who followed Norman every day of his adventure the past several weeks. “He’s played wonderful golf. It’s been amazing. I couldn’t do what he’s done. I wouldn’t even try.”
Norman primarily played in The Open to prepare for the two senior tournaments. Who knew he was on the leaderboard at all three — and was 2-under at the Broadmoor East after six holes, but never threatened? He had played in rain and 30 mph winds and cold in Great Britain and intense heat in Colorado.
“I’m not mentally or physically tired. I just played three weeks in a row and didn’t schedule any more than this,” he said. He turned down an invitation to play in the (regular) PGA Championship this week, citing prior professional and personal commitments.
A vacation in the mountains.
“It’s time to relax,” she said. He said, “No more golf until the Merrill Lynch Shark Shootout (his tournament Dec. 10-14 in Naples, Fla.).”
The Wild Ride of Mr. Norman and Ms. Evert is on pause.
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
