Even though the U.S. Open is in the books the hangover still lingers. Especially on this weekend as we are once again treated to the Fox Sports coverage of the USGA’s U.S. Senior Open.
Joe Buck and Greg Norman may have received some knocks for their inaugural Open (Buck acted like a rookie, Norman said nothing as DJ lost it) but the two are back at it again as Tom Watson tries for his first Senior Open. 
Norman who likes to refer to himself as “a living brand” as he leads his Great White Shark Enterprises spoke to Golf Magazine and he’s on their July cover which seems fitting as it is also their Open Championship preview and the Shark has his only two majors at The Open.
He talks a good game. But he shocked no one with his U.S. Open commentary last week.
I’ve always told the truth. Being honest protects you, not only from the slings of others, but also from yourself. Everything I’ve ever said I felt was right, so I have no regrets. Expect the same when I’m in the broadcast booth—I’ll call it as I see it. The only thing I have to protect is the sanctity of the U.S. Open. I won’t care if I ruffle feathers, as long as it’s true.
He has hung out with presidents but even they can be a pain.
The chain-saw injury hurt more, but the effects of President Clinton falling on my left knee after he tripped coming down some steps at my home back in 1997 will never go away. I won two Tour events following the accident, but my knee’s still a little tweaked.
But don’t expect an invite from Obama now.
I haven’t played with President Obama. If the White House called up and asked me if I would, I’d respect the presidency of the United States and I’d play. But I don’t sit around, “I’d love to play with President Obama.” Honestly, I’d be happier playing with my son and daughter, or one of my friends here on the island.
He is still giving Tiger the needle.
In 1986, I held the 54-hole lead in every major. Even at the top of my game I knew there was more I could learn. I was constantly bending Jack Nicklaus’s ear, or asking Ray Floyd this and that—not just about golf, but life. I got on well with former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and I sought counsel from him as well. People like Jack, Ray and Mr. Hawke get to high places for a reason, so why not tap into their experience? I live a few doors up from Tiger Woods, and it’s well documented how he’s never reached out to me. That’s his prerogative, and I’m certainly not going to force my experiences on him, even though I know they could help. Everybody has the right to choose what to do with their life and how they want to live it. Unfortunately, the world is full of people who think they have it figured out, and most of them don’t. 
And he wants us to believe his major championship record doesn’t haunt him.
Most people think I agonize about my loss to Nick Faldo in 1996 more than any Masters, but finishing runner-up to Jack Nicklaus in 1986 stung more. I chalk up my final-round 78 against Nick to simply a bad day on the course, and he was terrific on Sunday. He shot 67. And Larry Mize’s chip-in on the second playoff hole in 1987 was a once-in-a-lifetime shot. But even though Jack stormed to a back-nine 30 in 1986 on Sunday and had the crowd in a frenzy, all I had to do was par the 18th to tie him, or birdie it to win. I made bogey. I’ve suffered some bad breaks in majors, but that one’s on me.
All right you had me until that one. So blowing a six shot lead, shooting a 78 and losing to Faldo wasn’t on you? A bad day on the course…it certainly was just about the worst.
Click here for more Shark in David DeNunzio’s piece in Golf.com.
Related Articles
