TOM WATSON’S heart stopping performance at the British Open this year has led to the Royal & Ancient rethinking its age exemption rules.

The 60-year-old five-time Open champion finished runner-up this year but would have lost his exemption status because of the R&A’s age rules.

But golf’s governing body said yesterday it had amended one of its rules so that former champions who finish in the top 10 in the previous five Opens get a five-year exemption, regardless of age.

“We have introduced this exemption as a direct response to seeing two of our great Open champions (Watson and Greg Norman), both in their 50s, challenging to win our championship these last two years,” R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said on Monday.

“We rightly reduced the age of exemption for past champions from 65 to 60 two years ago and our intention was never to remove players still at the top of their game from competing in the Open.”

The R & A had not contemplated a 59-year-old leading the Open Championship going into the back nine on the final day.

Two time championship winner Norman, who turns 55 in February, will have five years to secure a top ten finish and extend his exemption. The Shark tied for third at the 2008 Open.

The Open will celebrate its 150th Anniversary when it returns to St Andrews next year.

IN a blow to fans and organisers, Greg Norman has officially pulled out of the Australian Open in Sydney following a slower than expected recovery from shoulder surgery.

Golf Australia announced today the two-time British Open winner was advised by his doctors not to play competitive golf again this year following arthroscopic surgery in September.

Norman, a five time winner of the Open, has been at the forefront of marketing for the event, to be played at the NSW Golf Club at La Perouse from December 3-6.

His withdrawal comes on top of news that current champion Tim Clarke will not be recontesting the title. He’ll be playing in a lucrative event in hometown South Africa along with Australian Open refugee Robert Allenby.

On the flipside, a supposed “miracle” recovery by crowd drawcard John Daly has seen him back in the event and organisers were quick to point out the quality of the field remaining.

Norman will also miss his signature event, The Shark Shootout, to be held in Florida the week following the Open.

The Shark has been going through something of a rough personal trot of late, announcing the break-up of his 15-month marriage to tennis legend Chris Evert at about the same time as he underwent his shoulder surgery.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was disappointed Norman could not attend the Open and wished him well in his recovery from surgery.

“Naturally we’re disappointed that Greg will not be able to join us,” Pitt said.

“We wish him well in his recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the Australian Open field in 2010.”

“While the championship will undoubtedly miss the magnetism of Greg it will mean some of the spotlight will return to the outstanding Australian depth in the field.”

The 2009 championship will herald the return of two-time Australian Open champion Aaron Baddeley for the first time since 2007.

Adam Scott, who finished well in the Singapore Open last week and hopefully has been bolstered by his Presidents Cup appearance, will also be back after missing last year through injury.

Other top ranked players in the Australian Open field include Australians Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Sim, Mathew Goggin, Stuart Appleby, John Senden, Marc Leishman and Americans John Daly, Steve Marino, Kevin Stadler and there are also a host of young, exciting players competing in what is the first Australian event on the new OneAsia Tour.

GREG NORMAN congratulates Tiger Woods after he delivered the knockout blow that secured the Presidents Cup for the US team.

Woods’ 6&5 win over South Korean Yang Yong-Eun gave the Americans an unbeatable lead with 17.5 points.

Woods completed a perfect 5-0 week at the Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco.

The Internationals were always going to struggle going into the final day with a three point deficit. They needed eight points to win and were never leading in more than six of the 12 singles matches simultaneously.

The Presidents Cup, which pits the best of US golf against the rest of the world (excluding Europe) will now move to Melbourne in two years time.

In eight outings Melbourne in 1998 has been the scene of the only Internationals victory.  

The full results today were:

USA 19.5 Internationals 14.5
Sunday Singles: USA 7 Internationals 5
Stewart Cink (USA) bt Adam Scott (AUS) 4&3
Hunter Mahan (USA) bt Camilo Villegas (COL) 2&1
Anthony Kim (USA) bt Robert Allenby (AUS) 5&3
Sean O’Hair (USA) bt Ernie Els (RSA) 6&4
Tiger Woods (USA) bt Yang Yong-Eun (KOR) 6&5
Mike Weir (CAN) v Justin Leonard (USA) halved
Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) bt Steve Stricker (USA) 2&1
Ryo Ishikawa (JPN) bt Kenny Perry (USA) 2&1
Tim Clark (RSA) bt Zach Johnson (USA) 4&3
Angel Cabrera (ARG) bt Jim Furyk (USA) 4&3
Vijay Singh (FIJ) v Lucas Glover (USA) halved
Phil Mickelson (USA) bt Retief Goosen (RSA) 2&1

GREG NORMAN’S Internationals are just one point behind the Americans after the first day of the Presidents Cup in San Francisco.

The Internationals were looking good early – apart from a whitewash from the Tiger Woods/Steve Stricker pairing – but the Americans stepped up on the back nine and looked like they would dominate the results.

Justin Leonard just needed to sink a sitter that was the last putt of the day to give the Americans another full point win and a big advantage.

But with Norman, US Captain Fred Couples, their teams, families and a big crowd watching on the 18th, his putt lipped out, leaving the final standing at a slim 3.5 points to 2.5 points.

The Americans groaned but the Internationals managed to stifle their glee.

After a topsy turvy day, that final draw in the Foursomes format will give Norman’s team some needed momentum going into the second day. The Internationals have often struggled in the foursomes matches of the cup.

The standout team of the day were Woods and Stricker, who notched five birdies in the first nine holes and ended up beating Geoff Igilvy and Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa Geoff Ogilvy 6&4.

Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim delivered America’s first point when they posted a 3&2 victory over Canadian Mike Weir and South African Tim Clark. Their late run included birdies on the last four holes.
The somewhat controversial selection of the International team, Australian Adam Scott, repaid the faith shown in him by Norman when he and South African Ernie Els earned the Internationals’ first point with a 2&1 victory over Hunter Mahan and Sean O’Hair.
“It’s an important win,” Scott said. “Things were looking good early on, but some matches turned around so we needed this one.”
Woods and Stricker were the only American team never to trail in a match, and the Internationals were in the lead in four out of six at one point before momentum began to shift.
Australia’s Robert Allenby was also in good form and he and Fijian Vijay Singh delivered another crucial point for the Internationals as they battled to a 1up victory over Lucas Glover and Stewart Cink - the reigning US Open and British Open champions.
Americans Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard were 3 down at one stage but rallied and looked to have the match against PGA Championship winner Yang Yong-Eun from South Korea and South African Retief Goosen in the bag. Leonard’s missed putt put them square.
Americans Kenny Perry and Zach Johnson defeated Argentine Angel Cabrera and Colombian Camilo Villegas 2up.

GREG NORMAN has finally acted to get rid of an ongoing, nagging problem.

The Australian golfing legend said the problem had been causing him ongoing discomfort and had kept him from performing at his best.

Yes, just days out from the President’s Cup, Norman has undergone surgery on his right shoulder.

However, Norman is confident the procedure will not affect his President’s Cup duties and says he will be back in playing action for the Australian Open and Shark Shootout later in the year.

“It was imperative that I take care of this because it was keeping me from performing at a level that suits my standards,” Norman said. “The procedure will in no way impact my responsibilities at The Presidents Cup, and I very much look forward to captaining the International Team.”

Norman underwent an arthroscopic superior labral repair and a partial rotator cuff repair at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

The operation took about 60 minutes and his surgeon, Dr. James Bradley, M.D., Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics, said that: “Due to Greg’s high level of physical fitness and commitment to rehabilitation, we are confident he will make a speedy and full recovery.”

Norman said he chose to undergo the arthroscopic procedure at this time to facilitate his return to competition later this year. “This was an arthroscopic and, as much as possible, noninvasive procedure,” he added. “With aggressive rehabilitation, I expect to be back in form for The Australian Open and The Shark Shootout.”

That was Wednesday. On Thursday he returned home and in his role as the host of the annual Shark Shootout announced details of the $3.5 million star studded event to take place at the Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort from December 9-13.

On Friday (or maybe Saturday Australian time), Norman and tennis icon Chris Evert announced they had separated after 15 months of marriage.

A statement from the couple said they will remain friends and supportive of each other’s family while asking for privacy for themselves and their relatives.

GEOFF OGILVY, Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, John Senden and Greg Chalmers have all confirmed they will be joining Greg Norman when the Australian Open takes to the cliffs of La Perouse in December.

It should be a magnificent tournament with Ogilvy, current world number eight, heading the charge for the Stonehaven Cup.

Former world number three Scott could also play a big role.

His form has been improving of late and he will be gunning to do well after missing the Open last year due to a beach incident knee injury.

The Shark has been thereabout of late and we at least know he has been getting some consistent big tournament conditioning with three back to back appearances at the British Open, Senior British Open and US Senior Open.

John Senden (2006 Winner) and Greg Chalmers have also recently shown their class, taking the fight up to Tiger Woods as both finished in a tie for second place at the Buick Open at the weekend.

Ogilvy is keenly chasing his first Open title, but broke through to claim his maiden win on home soil at the Australian PGA Championship last year.

”I am looking forward to returning to Sydney in my quest to win the Australian Open,” he said from the US.

“It’s great to have Greg (Norman) playing again as he adds so much to the championship. The NSW Golf Club will certainly test the players with the strong ocean breezes.”

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt says there are now 11 Australians in the world’s Top 100 and this will give the 2009 Australian Open incredible depth and added excitement for the fans.

Pitt said it again proved that the hottest talents in Australian golf wanted to compete at their national open.

“We are committed to having our best Australian golfers play at New South Wales Golf Club on the stunning cliffs at La Perouse.”

The Open will be held at the NSW Golf Club from December 3-6.

Australians in World Top 100 as at Tuesday 4 August, 2009:

1. Geoff Ogilvy 8
2. Robert Allenby 42
3. Adam Scott 44
4. Matthew Goggin 49
5. Brendan Jones 61
6. Aaron Baddeley 75
7. Michael Sim 81
8. Rod Pampling 83
9. John Senden 89
10. Stuart Appleby 90
11. Richard Green 95

GREG NORMAN has been well and truly Funked in his latest attempt to win a major senior golf title.

Playing in the final group at the US Senior Open, Norman watched fellow competitor Fred Funk play superb golf to take the tournament by six strokes.

At the aptly named (for some) Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, Norman again faded in the final round of a major championship, struggling to a one over par 73.

He started the day just one shot off the pace but had to settle for fourth place tied with Senior British Open winner Loren Roberts, who closed with a 64.

It was a triumph for the 53 year old Funk, whose final round seven under 65 gave him a tournament record 20-under total.

“It’s something I really didn’t fathom happening, but the biggest thing is just getting my name on that trophy,” Funk, who lost a playoff with Roberts for the Senior British Open last week, said.

It was his second senior major and goes in the cupboard with eight PGA Tour wins and five Champions Tour victories.

Funk commented later he thought Norman lost some confidence on the 6th, when the two time Open Champion found water off the tee on the way to a double-bogey.
“Just momentum, it wasn’t my day,” Norman said of his round.

“No matter what I did it seemed, it was the wrong thing.”

“Freddy played great today and I played poor. He deserves to win, when you shoot seven-under, that’s very, very impressive.”
Funk said Norman didn’t seem to be quite on his game.

“He just didn’t have control of the golf ball like he did yesterday,” Funk said.
“He didn’t drive quite as good and got himself into a little bit of trouble. And a couple of his good shots didn’t turn out good and it started eating at him a little bit.

“And he is seeing me a couple of times, and I think it gets irritating when your playing partner hits a couple of scruffies and ends up making pars on the holes and it can eat at you pretty good.

“It started going down when he hit a good shot on six and hit that tree and went in the water. It wasn’t that bad of a shot, and you don’t think that tree is going to come into play and it did.”

American Joey Sindelar (70) finished second at 14 under, Russ Cochran (68) was 12 under, and Roberts and Norman followed at 11 under.
British Open runner up Tom Watson, who has been hampered by injury, shot an even par final round to finish at two over and tied for 43rd.

We were hoping to be proved wrong but unfortunately not:

Norman leads the US Senior Open, but don’t hock the silverware just yet

GREG NORMAN shares the lead after the first round of the US Senior Open but we hardly need remind you, don’t put your house on him just yet.

He’s gotta win one soon you’d think, but apparently tent dwelling isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

The Shark shot a fine six under 66 at a very receptive Crooked Stick course in Carmel, Indiana along with Americans Joey Sindelar, Dan Forsman and amateur Tim Jackson.

The 54 year old Australian was very happy with the way he played and explained away a bogey on the 18th where a par would have seen him with the outright lead on a surprise course change.

But that “would have” or “could have” is the crux of the matter when it comes to Norman’s history at major events.

He is battle hardened thought, this being his third tournament in three weeks.

He missed the cut at the British Open at Turnberry two weeks ago and the Senior British Open at Suningdale last week was another “could have” when he was still in contention until a double bogey on the final round 17th.

 “I played well today and the golf course was ready to be had. It was perfect conditions,’’ Norman said.

“The greens were just receptive enough to be aggressive with the shots if you want to play them.’’

Norman was playing like the Shark of old, with long trademark drives, a string of four birdies on the front nine and an accompanying packed gallery. He believes the concentrated tournament play is helping.

‘‘I feel like I’m getting close,’’ he said. ‘‘Even though I played very, very well today, I feel like I’m getting close to getting it all together.’’

One shot astray from the four leaders were Andy Bean and Fulton at 67.

Seven players, led by Senior British Open champion Loren Roberts and 1996 British Open champion Tom Lehman, were two back at 68.

Last year’s winner, Eduardo Romero of Argentina, shot a 73.

British Open highlight Tom Watson finished with a one under 71, delivering on his promise of playing conservatively because of an illness that limited him to just one practice round.

US Senior Open Live Leaderboard

GREG NORMAN was in the hunt until the final few holes of the British Senior Open before opening the way for American Loren Roberts to claim his second title.

It was oh so familiar territory for Norman, who went into the final round with a one stroke lead over Fred Funk and Roberts after a storming 64 on Saturday.

What can you say, Norman has led eight times after 54 holes in major championships - most recently last year’s Open at Royal Birkdale - but only once converted that into a victory, the 1986 Open at Turnberry.

“My game felt good, no question about it. I just lack a lot of match practice,” Norman said.

The Shark double bogeyed the 17th and ended with a one over par 71 at Sunningdale on Sunday to finish tied sixth on 271.

Roberts, half way leader Funk and Irishman Mark McNulty finished the four rounds locked on 12 under par at 268.

Funk was eliminated at the first extra hole when he could only make par while Roberts and McNulty both made birdies.
Roberts beat the Irishman on the third sudden death hole.

Roberts, who won at Turnberry in 2006 and now has a spot in the British Open at St Andrews next year, said the aspect of his game that pleased him most was his mental approach.

“I’ve been struggling mentally a little bit this year,” he said.

“I haven’t been hitting the ball as sharply or as good as I can. I didn’t give up mentally today. I didn’t let the mental side get me down when I fell behind early.

“I’ve been doing some physical things, making some adjustments here and there. At my age I don’t know if my body is changing a little bit. But I’ve been just trying to see if I can do a little better with what I have.”

Wayne Grady and the 63 year old Noel Ratcliffe tied for 32nd, Stewart Ginn was 68th and Graham Marsh 71st.

The Champions Tour now heads for Carmel in Indiana for this week’s US Senior Open.

GREG NORMAN is returning to the scene of his 1986 British Open triumph feeling very positive after his amazing performance last year leading the tournament going into the final day at Royal Birkdale.

Norman was agonisingly close to becoming the oldest winner of a major event when he was overtaken by Padraig Harrington and Ian Poulter.

As we reported last year, it was an inspiring performance for older golfers everywhere.

“A lot of people thought my performance at Birkdale was an anomaly in some ways,” Norman said recently.

“To me it wasn’t. It just convinces me even more of the fact that anybody, no matter how old they are or what position they are in life, if they really want to focus their mind onto doing something, it’s very of achievable.”

Norman isn’t discounting his chances at Turnberry this week, though he was more willing stake a claim for winning the Senior British Open at the  Sunningdale Golf Club next week, putting his chances there at “high”.

“I’m definitely going to go into the British Open wanting to compete the best I can compete,” he said.

“That’s all I can say. Setting goals and making cuts, being in the last group, that really doesn’t even set in your mind. If you go in there and just do what I want to do, which is compete the best I can, then all those things should be taken care of.”

Norman wasn’t using his age as an excuse and was pushing his experience as a positive.

 “I understand exactly my position, what my mind and my body can give me,” he said. “You always try and push those to another level no matter whether you’re No. 1 in the world or whether you’re 54 years old and going to play a few golf tournaments. You’ve always got to push yourself.

“I wouldn’t say I could win on any golf course. I couldn’t go to a 7,700-yard U.S. Open golf course, where the young swivel heads play, and feel like I can do it. That would be a big ask. But I can go and compete on some of these golf courses out there that, you know, 80 or 85 percent of them. I still hit the ball 300-plus yards when I want to. So it’s not like I’m hamstrung by the fact that I’m only hitting the ball 250 yards.”

He strongly believes that links golf gives experienced players with a bigger repertoire of shots an advantage.

“I think that’s the secret to it,” he said. “The younger generation nowadays that grew up with the modern technology hasn’t had the ability to teach themselves how to play certain shots.”

Norman is one 17 Australasians competing in this year’s open.

Mat Goggin and Rod Pampling are the latest additions to the field that includes Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Mark Brown NZL, Michael Campbell NZL, Daniel Gaunt, Josh Geary NZL, Richard Green, Greg Norman, Geoff Ogilvy, Terry Pilkadaris, Adam Scott, David Smail NZL, Tim Stewart, Michael Wright and Tim Wood.

The tournament begins on Thursday at The Ailsa Championship Course at Turnberry, Scotland.