Golf's Major Championships

[JeffNC]

Norman Returns to Action at British Open

His back has recovered from surgery. He’s passed his 50th birthday, making him eligible for the Champions Tour. And Greg Norman is preparing to depart for the British Isles and the beginning of four tournaments in a row.

Greg Norman has made two starts on the European Tour in 2005 resulting in a missed cut and a withdrawal.He had the surgery done in Pittsburg in March after exhausting all non-surgical options to relieve the back pain. He hasn’t played since then, but he has scheduled a whirlwind month of play, beginning with the British Open July 14-17.

“My game right now is very rusty,” Norman said. “But I’m going to get a couple of lessons before I get over there – give me time to feel it.”

Norman, who will utilize his 19-year-old son Gregory to caddy for him, plans to arrive early at St. Andrews to begin preparation for the British Open. He twice won the event, in 1986 and 1993.

“I love St. Andrews,” he said. “It’s unique in its own right. Kind of interesting going over there – a lot of important things are happening at St. Andrews this year, obviously with Jack (Nicklaus). I’d like to be able to see him … I hope he makes the cut, too.”

And that’s just the beginning. From there, Norman dives headlong into the elder schedule, playing two tournaments reserved for those 50 and over.

“I’ll go and play the Senior British Open at Royal Aberdeen, then fly right back for the Senior U.S. Open,” he said.

Then it’s back for another shot at the PGA Tour. “I’ll probably go out there and visit Jack Vickers at the International for his 20th anniversary of the tournament. … I’m a huge fan of Jack Vickers, what he’s done for the game of golf,” said Norman.

That makes it four tournaments over a four-week stretch. A rather ambitious schedule indeed for a person who has just recuperated from surgery.

“Hopefully, four weeks in a row will be enough to give me an idea, ‘OK, do I keep going, or do I need more practice? Or what is my situation?’” Norman said.

Norman’s present plans are to play the JELD-WEN Tradition, another Champions Tour major, Aug. 25-28, though that is dependent on how his back holds up.

“So, the next seven weeks are going to be very interesting,” he said with a smile.

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