Philosophical Norman ready to move on
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Greg Norman says his long-term plans have not changed despite his strong showing at Royal Birkdale (AFP: Peter Muhly)
An evergreen Greg Norman says he will not be increasing his playing schedule despite an improbable run towards the British Open title at the age of 53.
Norman led the field by two shots going into the final day of the tournament at Royal Birkdale but a final round 77 meant he had to settle for a share of third place behind winner Padraig Harrington.
Norman, who won the British Open in 1986 and 1993, said his sparkling display would not force him to change his playing habits, which have taken a back seat in recent years to his thriving course-design company.
"It still doesn't fire me up to go out there," he said at the end of a gruelling four days.
"I am going to play the Senior British Open next week and then the Senior US Open and that's it.
"I don't plan on playing any more golf after that for a while."
Norman said he was proud he challenged for the title throughout the tournament in his bid to become golf's oldest major champion.
"I am sure I surprised a lot of people but, at the same time, I think what happens if I had won," he said.
"Then I might have had to be out here playing more golf and maybe that's what I didn't want to do. I can walk away with my head held high because I hung in there.
"I got a couple of unfortunate lip-outs. Maybe if on 11 and 12 they had lipped in instead of out it would have been a totally different score."
Balanced life
The Shark, who recently married tennis legend Chris Evert, said he was happy with the course his life was taking and returning to golf full-time was not in his plans.
"I am very happy, it's nice to have a balanced life. I don't grind it out on the golf course any more.
"I don't practice, practice, practice. I just play when I like to play and practice when I like to practice."
Norman called on golden oldies everywhere to dare to dream the dream after tying with Swede Henrik Stenson on 9-over-par 289.
"A lot of people should take stock, no matter how old they are," he said.
"If you really want to chase a dream you can go do it. Even though there was failure at the end of it for me, I still put myself in position to show a lot of other people that you can go do something if you want it."
Norman heaped praise on Ireland's Harrington after his playing partner clinched victory for the second year running.
"Padraig played great today," he said. "Even though he tried to let it get away in the middle of the round he came back and performed beautifully, like a true Open champion.
"What did Padraig shoot today, 69? I would have had to shoot 71 (to win) and that would have been tough for me."
-Reuters
