TODAY'S GOLF - Tuesday, August 2, 2005
"Tips... News... And More... All For The Love Of The Game"
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Teeing Off - Norman Sets Sights on PGA Tour Events
2. Pro Report - Nicklaus reminisces on career at benefit
3. Quote Of The Week
TEEING OFF
Norman Sets Sights on PGA Tour Events
KETTERING, Ohio � Greg Norman's birth certificate says he
is 50, although he still doesn't consider himself a senior
golfer.
Even though some British publications dubbed him "The
Great Gray Shark" last week, Norman still wants to win on
the grand stage of the PGA Tour. None of this over-50 tour
stuff for him.
Norman hasn't won a PGA Tour event since 1998. He had
surgery March 22 to relieve the back pain which had
limited his quality of life � and certainly the quality
of his golf � over the past few years.
In his first tournament back after rehabbing, he played
well at the British Open two weeks ago before shooting a
76 in the final round that left him tied for 60th. Last
week in his seniors debut at the Senior British Open, he
shot a 76 and then was the hottest golfer in the field
with rounds of 67, 70 and 68 to miss a playoff by a shot.
Despite that third-place finish, Norman still wants to be
measured against Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, not Dana
Quigley and Doug Tewell.
He is not planning on playing in a seniors event � other
than the major championships � this year or next.
"If my competitive level in my game is solid like its
starting to show signs of, I'd much rather go out there
and play the regular tour because I still hit the ball
long enough," said Norman, who has won 20 PGA Tour events,
including two British Opens. "I feel like I'm above
average than most players, even on the regular tour, so
why not get out there and compete against those guys?"
Hale Irwin, a success on both tours, said players turning
50 should embrace their age and play against their peers.
"The adjustments have to be made in your head," Irwin said.
"You have to make it in your mind that you are now going
to play here (Champions Tour) and that's it."
Irwin, who has won two Senior Opens to go with two U.S.
Opens, is among the favorites this week. Defending
champion Peter Jacobsen, Tom Watson (coming off a playoff
win over Des Smyth at last week's British Senior Open),
Ray Floyd (who won the 1969 PGA Championship at NCR), Tom
Kite, Jay Haas and Craig Stadler are also in the field.
In addition to Norman, Curtis Strange and Loren Roberts
also are making their first appearance in a U.S. Senior
Open.
Norman has played well in USGA events, although he's never
won one. He lost in a playoff to Fuzzy Zoeller at the 1984
U.S. Open at Winged Foot and finished second to Corey
Pavin at Shinnecock in 1995.
With a USGA championship missing from his resume, he'd be
more than happy to win the first one he plays in his sixth
decade.
"I've always wanted to win one," he said, referring to the
Open. "I came close enough that you could almost taste it.
It didn't happen, so obviously the next best thing would
be to win this week. I'd love to put it on my mantel.
"I think that would be a very fitting start to my 'old
man's' career."
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PRO REPORT
Nicklaus reminisces on career at benefit
DAYTON, Ohio � A ballroom full of admirers, including many
of Jack Nicklaus' golfing friends, paid tribute to the
Golden Bear on Tuesday night.
They were in town for a dinner at the Moraine Country Club
that raised money for the Children's Medical Center in
Dayton, Ohio.
Arnold Palmer was there. So were Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw,
Tom Kite, Andy Bean, Bruce Fleisher, Andy North, Jerry
Pate and Don Pooley.
Nicklaus, breaking into tears at times, threw away the
speech he planned and told everyone what he was going to
miss.
"I'm going to miss playing with Arnold," Nicklaus said.
"We always had a great time. I may have had to fight his
gallery, but I never had to fight him."
Palmer and Nicklaus not only had hot competition on the
golf course, but they competed with each other for
endorsement contracts and in business activities, includ-
ing golf course design. Through it all they have been
great friends. The Nicklauses socialized often with
Arnold and his first wife, Winnie, who died a few years
ago.
"We've had a great relationship for many, many years,"
Palmer said, recalling that he first met Nicklaus at an
exhibition in Athens. "We have been pretty close friends
ever since."
Nicklaus said he has special feelings about Watson, who
beat him in the British Open at Turnberry in 1977. They
walked the fairways together at St. Andrews a couple of
weeks ago when Nicklaus played his final competitive
rounds.
"Thomas," Nicklaus added, "you've been very special. You
really have. Last week (at St. Andrews) was very special."
Then Nicklaus got choked up.
"Also," he said, "I'll miss coming home and sharing the
winning of a golf tournament with Barbara and the kids.
That's special. No guy could have been luckier than I
have been to have her."
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Find a man with both feet firmly on the ground and you've
found a man about to make a difficult putt." � Fletcher
Knebel
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