Norman turns back the clock
SOUTHPORT, England - A blissful newlywed, Greg Norman believes he's finally got the proper perspective on life.
His golf game looks pretty good, too.
Cheered on by his wife of a month, former tennis star Chris Evert, the 53-year-old Norman plugged away for an even-par 70 in the opening round of the British Open, leaving him just 1 stroke off the lead Thursday.
Go ahead. Pinch yourself.
The Shark is again contending at a major championship, even though most other weeks he's likely to spend more time on the tennis court than he does on the golf course.
"I've got to keep my expectations realistically low, to be honest with you. I haven't played a lot of golf," said Norman, who had the good fortune of teeing off in the afternoon, after the rain had stopped and the wind tapered off a bit. "It's just like riding a bike. But even riding a bike sometimes after a long time, you're a little wobbly."
Norman sure looked steady in the opening round, walking off the course with one of just six rounds at par or better. Of course, he's not about to start clearing out space in the suitcase for the claret jug, knowing that while plenty of tournaments are lost on Thursday, none has ever been won the first day.
Five years ago at Royal St. George's, Norman opened with a 2-under 69 but soared to a 79 the following day, ruining any hopes of winning a third Open title.
"If I give myself a chance at the end of the tournament, either nine holes or six holes or the last 18 holes, I'll feel pretty good about my chances," Norman said. "But you don't sit here on Thursday at 6:30 or 7 at night and think, 'OK, Sunday is around the corner and I'm there.' It's not the case."
With his bride watching from the back of the room, Norman talked about getting his priorities in order, which means golf comes second, even if he's still trying to finish first those rare times he swings a club.
"The other side of my life is absolutely fantastic," Norman said. "I enjoy playing golf and I enjoy spending time at home with Chrissy and with my kids. I enjoy my business and what I'm doing. I've probably got the most beautiful balance I've ever had.
"Before," he added, "all it was was golf, golf, golf. ... Everything else took second stage. Now, really, golf is second and everything else is first as far as I'm concerned. It's a great feeling."
Norman has largely given up competitive golf, and he has no intention of adding to his schedule no matter how well he plays at Royal Birkdale.
"My mind still wants to play, but my body doesn't want to practice," said Norman, who's endured numerous surgeries on his hips, knees and shoulders. "Believe me, I still enjoy playing. But I don't enjoy standing out there on the driving range for four, five, six hours a day."