Greg Norman: The Shark's Career of Brilliance and Heartbreak
Greg Norman won two Open Championships, held the world number one ranking for a record 331 weeks, and won 91 professional tournaments worldwide. He is also the most discussed figure in the history of major championship near-misses — a player who led every major championship after 54 holes at least once and won only two of them. The gap between his overall body of work and his major championship record is the most significant disparity in the careers of the game's elite players.
The Shark
Norman earned the nickname "The Great White Shark" from his aggressive, attacking approach to the game and the bleached blond hair that made him visually distinctive on any leaderboard. He was physically imposing by the standards of his era — long off the tee, committed to attacking shots others would lay up from — and he played with a theatrical boldness that Australian sporting culture produces in its athletes.
He was, at his peak in the mid-1980s through mid-1990s, the most exciting player in professional golf after the decline of Watson and before the arrival of Tiger Woods. The galleries responded accordingly.
The Two Majors
Norman won the Open Championship in 1986 (Turnberry) and 1993 (Royal St George's). Both wins were wire-to-wire dominant performances — he led from the opening round in 1986 and produced a 64 in the final round at Royal St George's in 1993 that is considered one of the finest closing rounds in Open Championship history.
The Collapses
The 1986 Masters: Norman led by one shot entering the 18th hole and made bogey. Jack Nicklaus, playing in the group ahead, had already completed his round. Nicklaus won by one. Norman had been in position to win four majors that year — he led all four after 54 holes — and won none.
The 1996 Masters is the most discussed major collapse in golf history. Norman led by six shots entering the final round. Nick Faldo, his playing partner, shot 67. Norman shot 78. Faldo won by five. Norman's collapse from six ahead to a five-shot loss is a swing of 11 shots in 18 holes against a field that wasn't otherwise extraordinary.
These collapses — along with the 1993 PGA Championship (lost to Paul Azinger in a playoff), the 1989 Open playoff loss (lost to Mark Calcavecchia), and others — define the territory between Norman's career potential and his career record in a way that no analytical framework can entirely resolve.
The Business Career
Norman has been as successful in business as in golf. Greg Norman Collection is a major golf apparel brand. His golf course design firm has produced courses on multiple continents. His wine label produces critically respected Australian wines. His transition from player to businessman was smoother and more successful than almost any comparable athlete's.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many majors did Greg Norman win?
Greg Norman won two major championships: the 1986 Open Championship at Turnberry and the 1993 Open Championship at Royal St George's.
What happened to Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters?
Greg Norman entered the final round of the 1996 Masters with a six-shot lead. Playing partner Nick Faldo shot 67; Norman shot 78. Faldo won by five shots — an 11-shot swing in 18 holes. It is the most discussed final-round collapse in Masters history.