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The Masters: Near Misses Still Haunt Greg Norman

By Tim Letcher

14 Apr 1996: Greg Norman of Australia feels the pressure after hitting the first ball of the final round off the fairway and in to the crowd during the final round of the 1996 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Mandatory Credit:Stephen Munday/ALLSPORT
14 Apr 1996: Greg Norman of Australia feels the pressure after hitting the first ball of the final round off the fairway and in to the crowd during the final round of the 1996 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Mandatory Credit:Stephen Munday/ALLSPORT /
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Greg Norman could own as many as three green jackets. Instead, he owns none. Find out why here.

Greg Norman is one of golf’s greatest players. He won 89 tournaments worldwide, is a member of the golf Hall of Fame and was the number one ranked player in the world for almost six years.

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Norman won a pair of Open Championships, claiming the Claret Jug in 1986 and 1993. He was second in every other major at least twice without winning any of them.

While some of those second-place finishes were harder than others, Norman can look back on three particular majors he easily could have won. But in all three cases, fate intervened and the Shark won none of them.

Norman was in a very good position to win the Masters on three occasions. Yet Norman never claimed a green jacket.

In 1986, Norman likely would have claimed his first green jacket if not for a huge rally on the back nine by Jack Nicklaus. Norman, who held the 54-hole lead, saw Nicklaus shoot a 65 on Sunday to win by a shot.

The second time Norman looked to be ready to claim the Masters title was the following year in 1987. He made a playoff with Seve Ballesteros and Larry Mize. After Ballesteros was eliminated on the first playoff hole, Norman and Mize went to the 11th hole at Augusta National for the second playoff hole.

Neither player hit a particularly good approach shot to the tough par-4 hole. Norman hit his approach on the fringe to the right of the hole. Mize missed badly to the right, nearly 50 yards to the side of the green. Advantage, Norman.

That seemed to be the case until Mize hit one of the greatest shots in major championship history, chipping in and stunning Norman in the process. The Shark missed his putt and Mize earned one of the most improbable wins in Masters history.

It was nine years before Norman really had another shot at winning at Augusta. And in 1996, he had a huge chance.

Norman stormed out of the gate with a first-round 63 to grab a two-shot lead over Phil Mickelson. On Friday, the Shark shot 69 and held a four-shot lead over Nick Faldo. After a 71 on Saturday, Norman carried a commanding six-shot lead into Sunday’s final round. It was essentially all over except for the final margin.

However, as it did a few times during Norman’s career, what seemed to be a sure thing did not happen. Norman had a terrible round, but still had a cushion due to his large lead.

But on the 12th hole on Sunday, Norman made a double bogey and gave up the lead to Faldo. Another double bogey on 16 sealed Norman’s fate and Faldo went on to win by five shots after trailing by six to start the day. It was one of the most stunning final rounds in major championship history.

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Norman had three chances to wear the green jacket but was foiled each time. The three losses certainly still haunt one of the game’s great players, even though more than 20 years have passed.

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