Greg Norman: Player Profile

Tour

Jul 23, 2023

Who Is Greg Norman?

Perhaps the most influential Australian to ever play the sport, Greg Norman has been involved in golf for more than 50 years. He has more than 80 professional wins to his name, and was the original face of the LIV Golf breakaway tour.

He only started playing golf at the age of 15, but became a scratch handicapper within the space of a couple of years. His first professional tournament came in 1976, and finished inside the top three in his first two events on the PGA Tour of Australasia. He won the West Lakes Classic later that year, his first victory on the tour.

A first European Tour victory would follow a year later, and he would go on to secure 88 victories worldwide. Norman is a two-time major champion, having lifted the Claret Jug in both 1986 and 1993. However, he is famous for his Masters Tournament failure in the same year as his second Open win. He led by six going into the final round, but ended up losing by five as Nick Faldo stormed through to victory.

Following his retirement from professional golf, Norman has now become known as the face of LIV Golf. The Australian was the CEO of the breakaway league, which was formed in 2022.

Greg Norman | An Overview

Personal Information

Name: Gregory John Norman
Born: February 10, 1955
Nationality: Australia
Residence: Florida, United States

Career

Turned Pro: 1976
Professional Wins: 88
Highest World Ranking: 1 – September 14, 1986

Best Results In Majors

2x Major Champion – 1986 & 1993 Open Championship

Best Finishes:
– Masters Tournament – 2nd/T2 (1986, 1987, 1996)
– PGA Championship – 2nd (1986, 1993)
– US Open – 2nd (1984, 1995)
– Open Championship – WIN (1986, 1993)

Professional Wins – 88

1976 (1) – West Lakes Classic
1977 (2) – Kuzuha International, Martini International
1978 (4) – Caltex Festival of Sydney Open, Traralgon Loy Yang Classic, Gilpey’s Gins South Seas Classic, New South Wales Open
1979 (4) – Traralgon Classic, Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open, Martini International, Queensland PGA Championship
1980 (4) – Paco Rabanne Open de France, Scandinavian Enterprise Open, Dunhill Australian Open, Suntory World Match Play Championship
1981 (3) – Australian Masters, Martini International, Dunlop Masters
1982 (3) – Dunlop Masters, State Express English Classic, Benson & Hedges International Open
1983 (7) – Australian Masters, Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open, Stefan Queensland Open, National Panasonic New South Wales Open, Cannes Open, Suntory World Match Play Championship, Kapalua International
1984 (5) – Victorian Open, Australian Masters, Kemper Open, Canadian Open, Toshiba Australian PGA Championship
1985 (2) – Toshiba Australian PGA Championship, National Panasonic Australian Open
1986 (11) – Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational, Kemper Open, Open Championship, Panasonic European Open, Fred Meyer Challenge, PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Suntory World Match Play Championship, Stefan Queensland Open, National Panasonic New South Wales Open, West End Jubilee South Australian Open, National Panasonic Western Australian Open
1987 (2) – Australian Masters, National Panasonic Australian Open
1988 (6) – Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup, ESP Open, Australian Tournament Players Championship, MCI Heritage Golf Classic, Lancia Italian Open, Panasonic New South Wales Open
1989 (4) – Australian Masters, Australian Tournament Players Championship, The International, Greater Milwaukee Open, The Crowns
1990 (3) – Australian Masters, Doral-Ryder Open, Memorial Tournament
1992 (1) – Canadian Open
1993 (4) – Doral-Ryder Open, Open Championship, Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters, PGA Grand Slam of Golf
1994 (3) – Johnnie Walker Classic, The PLAYERS Championship, PGA Grand Slam of Golf
1995 (5) – Memorial Tournament, Canon Greater Hartford Open, NEC World Series of Golf, Fred Meyer Challenge, Heineken Australian Open
1996 (4) – Ford South Australian Open, Doral-Ryder Open, Fred Meyer Challenge, Holden Australian Open
1997 (4) – Anderson Consulting World Championship of Golf, FedEx St Jude Classic, NEC World Series of Golf, Fred Meyer Challenge
1998 (2) – Greg Norman Holden International, Franklin Templeton Shark Shootout

Achievements and Awards

PGA Tour of Australasia Oder of Merit Winner – 1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988
European Tour Order of Merit Winner – 1982
Byron Nelson Award – 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995
Vardon Trophy – 1989, 1990, 1994
PGA Player of the Year – 1995
PGA Tour Player of the Year – 1995
Old Tom Morris Award – 2008
Charlie Bartlett Award – 2008
World Golf Hall of Fame – 2001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Greg Norman

When and where was Greg Norman born?

Greg Norman was born on February 10, 1955 in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. He did not take up golf until the age of 15, having aspired to be a professional surfer through his younger years.

When did Greg Norman turn professional?

Norman turned professional in 1976, and shot a 3-under round of 68 in his professional tournament debut. His early pro years were on the PGA Tour of Australasia before moving to the European Tour.

How many major championships has Greg Norman won?

Greg Norman won two major championships during his career, lifting the Claret Jug on two occasions. He won the Open Championship in both 1986 and 1993, and also finished runner-up in eight other majors.

Who is Greg Norman married to?

Norman is married to Kirsten Kutner, with the pair getting wed in 2010. The Australian has two children from a previous marriage, Greg Jr and Morgan-Leigh.

Did you Know?

More Than Six Years As World No 1

Norman spent an incredible 331 weeks as the men’s World No 1. That record is only topped by the great Tiger Woods, who amazingly spent more than twice as long as the world’s best player.

Scratch In 18 Months

He only took up the sport at the age of 15, but his talent was there for all to see. He went from being a 27-handicapper to a scratch golfer in just 18 months.

First To Reach $10 Million In Career Earnings

Norman was the first man to hit the $10 million mark when it came to career earnings after time spent on the PGA Tour of Australasia, European Tour and PGA Tour.

The ‘Saturday Slam’

In 1986, Norman achieved the feat of leading all four majors after 54 holes. However, he would only go on to win the Open Championship, with the feat being regarded as the ‘Saturday Slam’