Veteran golfer Greg Norman was obviously feeling a little battered and bruised after the Senior PGA Championship in Rochester, New York.
At one stage in the final round consecutive birdies on 12, 13 and 14 left the Shark lurking within one shot of the lead.
But, making his first start on the Champions Tour since 2005, Norman’s Sunday charge of four birdies in five holes on the back nine unravelled.
He hit a double bogey on 17 and a bogey at 18 to finish three shots behind 54 year old winner Jay Haas.
“Not feeling very good right now, I can tell you that,” Norman said later. “But I think that when I made birdie on 15, 16, I thought then – I always thought I was too far behind the leaders and it didn’t make any difference. But it was nice to a point, right up until 17 and 18.”
Norman admitted he found it a tough course.
“It takes a lot out of you. I’ve done this for 35 years of my life and you just it’s hard enough as it is, especially on a course like this,” he said.
As we reported before the tournament (Greg Norman’s new lease of life), thanks largely to the influence of fiancée Chris Evert and 22 year old son Gregory Norman, the Shark for the first time in a few years has increased his playing schedule and is inspired to be back on the world golf stage.
To take more out of his performance in Rochester, Norman was the most consistent scorer with rounds of 72, 73, 72 and 73.
All those before him had at least a small blow out at some stage, with even winner Haas carding a final 74, saved by his first round 69.
Forever the fighter, Norman responded typically when asked at the post tournament media conference if the result might make him change his stated mindset to play more competitive golf, which incidentally includes the upcoming British Open.
“It might go back the other way,” he said defiantly.
Greg Norman: Shock! Horror! Life After 50
