About Greg Norman

*wins and career earnings current through December 2022

Greg Norman is one of the most polarizing figures the game of golf has ever seen. Before spending 331 weeks as the top-ranked golfer between the 1980s and 1990s, however, Norman worked at several golf courses in Australia. After only playing the game for six years, Norman decided to turn pro in 1976 with very little tournament experience as an amateur.

It didn’t take long for Norman to earn his first professional victory as he won the 1976 West Lakes Championship on what is now the PGA Tour of Australasia. The following year, Norman joined the European Tour (now known as the DP World Tour) and won quickly at the Martini International in Scotland. Norman had incredible success between both tours and eventually earned his first invitation to the Masters in 1981. In his debut at Augusta National, Greg Norman finished in fourth place, just three shots behind the winner, Tom Watson. After being the leading money winner on the European Tour in 1982, Norman joined the PGA Tour in 1983.

In 1984, Norman earned his first PGA Tour win at the Kemper Open. The following week, he played in the U.S. Open and garnered attention by draining a 45-foot putt on the 72nd hole to force an 18-hole playoff with Fuzzy Zoeller at Winged Foot. The following day, Zoeller dusted Norman by eight strokes, 67 to 75.

From 1984 to 1986, Norman won 10 times between Australia and the U.S., but 1986 was a particularly special year for Norman because he held the lead at all four major championships after 54 holes. This became known as the “Saturday Slam.” At the Masters, he held a one-stroke lead to begin the day but ultimately finished one stroke behind Jack Nicklaus. In the U.S. Open, Norman shot a final-round 75 and finished six shots behind eventual winner, Raymond Floyd.

The 1986 British Open became Norman’s first major win, and he did so in horrendous weather at Turnberry. Norman somehow shot a final round score of 69 and won by five strokes. The following month at the PGA Championship, Norman shot a final round 76 and lost by two strokes to Bob Tway.

Greg Norman’s Masters woes continued in 1987 when his would-be winning putt on the 72nd hole barely missed, sending him to a sudden-death playoff with Larry Mize and Seve Ballesteros. After Ballesteros was eliminated, Mize miraculously chipped in from off the green on the second playoff hole, handing Norman another Masters defeat.

Norman enjoyed continued success as a top player in the world, and in 1989 found himself back in the mix at Augusta. A missed 12-foot putt on the 72nd hole, however, kept Norman out of a playoff that included Nick Faldo and Scott Hoch.

After a slump in the early 1990s, Norman hired swing coach Butch Harmon to rebuild his golf swing. After his swing fix, Norman claimed his second career major at the 1993 British Open at Royal St. George’s. He also placed second at the 1993 PGA Championship.

It was the 1996 Masters that would be, perhaps, Norman’s biggest career loss. He opened with a record-tying round of 63, held the lead after 54 holes, and looked poised to win starting the final round ahead by six strokes. However, Norman shot a final round 78 and Nick Faldo won the green jacket.

Norman won several more events in the U.S. and Australia and placed in the top ten of majors but did not win another major championship after 1993. Despite turning 50 in 2005, Norman has largely stayed away from the PGA Tour Champions due to back and hip issues endured during his younger playing days.

Greg Norman played on three Presidents Cup teams representing the International team (1996, 1998, 200) and also captained the team once (2009).

He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001 and earned $14,484,458 in tournament winnings throughout his career.

Greg Norman was born on February 10, 1955 in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia to Mervin and Toini Norman. His mother was a single-digit handicap and taught him how to play the game at 15, even having Norman caddie for her. Within 18 months, Greg Norman went from a beginner to a scratch golfer.

Greg Norman has been married three times and has two children. He was married to Laura Andrassy from 1981-2007, to former professional tennis player Chris Evert from 2008- 2009, and is currently married to his wife Kirsten Kutner since 2010.

Known as “The Shark” because of his style of play and great white sharks being native to Australia, Norman’s off-course career has been incredibly successful as well. The Greg Norman Company includes all of Norman’s businesses, which include his golf course design firm, clothing, real estate, food, and restaurants. It is reported that Norman’s net worth is near $400 million.

In 2022, controversy found Norman when he accepted the CEO role of LIV Golf Investments. The LIV Golf series is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and has caused several top PGA Tour players to leave for higher earnings from LIV Golf.

In 1987, the Greg Norman Foundation was founded, which benefits children of Australia with physical disabilities or who need guidance and other forms as support.

Norman lives in Australia and also owns a home in Palm Beach, Florida.