It is beginning to look more and more as if Greg Norman never will get the green jacket he so covets.
For the second straight year, Norman will be available to fill out foursomes during Masters weekend. He missed the cut again, shooting a 78 Friday, two worse than Thursday’s 76.
It seems as if Norman never recovered from his final-round collapse in the 1996 Masters. With that score included, his last five rounds at Augusta have been 78, 77, 74, 76, 78. He hasn’t been a factor in any major since then.
The Shark definitely has lost his bite.
“I’m frustrated in missing the cut,” Norman said. “I felt like I hit the ball solidly. I didn’t make any putts. It didn’t go my way this week. I’ll get on my horse and go home.”
At 43, time is slipping away for Norman, who happily would trade one of his jets for a Masters title. Physically, he came into the tournament with a sore shoulder, which forced him to miss The Players Championship. He said he will take the month off and plans to have a specialist look at the shoulder.
Norman also seems to be ailing psychologically. He seems to have lost his motivation for playing at a high level. He has talked recently of having a harder time getting ready to play. He seems more focused on his many business activities than dedicating himself to championship golf. He has played only 19 rounds this year.
As a result, Norman came into this tournament with no expectations. He hardly was in demand by the media, a big change from other years.
Norman says he didn’t miss being the center of attention.
“I’ve enjoyed this week,” Norman said. “This is the easiest, quietest week I’ve had in a long time. I had the best four or five days, even though my scores don’t reflect it.”
But given the choice, Norman would prefer to be in the spotlight and in the thick of things this weekend. Now the question being asked is whether Norman ever will be in contention again at Augusta.
Norman isn’t making any concession speeches just yet. Asked if he is feeling any urgency to win a Masters, Norman said:
“When I stop, if I haven’t won, I’ll give you a comment then.”
