[Glenn Spencer]

Norman had some history with this sort of thing. I think he has destined to lose that day no matter who was chasing. That was the one Major he probably wanted most, and it appeared (of course we will never know for sure) that he was simply pressing and trying too damn hard NOT to lose.  

He admitted to being "flat" for the playoff with Fuzzy in '84, and there was the infamous "Faldo Thrashing" in the '90 Open at St. Andrews (I think it was something like 67 vs 76).

I am admittedly a Norman fan, and I think the jury is still out on how he will be remembered in golf lore. As a Palmer-esque figure who was lovable and charismatic in defeat (making him seem more "human" and "average"); or as an example of unfulfilled talent?

And the big question: Will my autographed copy of "Shark Attack" ever be worth something on ebay??  

Rob,

I don't think that I can buy that Norman admitted being flat for the playoff against Zoeller. I think that is the easy way of saying that you played bad and shot 75. 18 holes for the US Open over Winged Foot and you are not up for it. I don't buy it. 90 was 67-76. Inverness was really startling as well. 40 on the back. I always found it ironic how Norman was able to play the same courses so well. I know there are others, but he flirted at Inverness and Shinnecock twice, St. Georges as well as Augusta.

[ForkaB]

Norman could have whipped almost anybody's arse if he had been playing in some parallel universe.  None of his peers got screwed like he did by Mize and Tway.  In fact, Faldo has to get the award for the luckiest golfer on the planet.  Azinger and Cook gifted him two of his Opens and Norman, Floyd and Hoch gifted him his Masters.

Jacklin was and is a mediocrat (viz. Bill Rogers, Baker-Finch, Wayne Grady) who got lucky twice and then faded into his rightful place in history.  Trevino was a stud.  So was Seve, and he did the ultimate coup de grace to Watson in 1984 at St. Andrews.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Next thing you'll say about Seve is that it was the architecture of the 15th more than the nerves of hitting that shot under those circumstances.

Those circumstances were created and dictated by the fact that Nicklaus had just gone on one of the great runs in the history of golf.

JES II

Then, how did he manage to hit such a spectacular drive under the same circumstances ?

The next thing you'll be telling us is that Angie Agrera (sp?) put a spell on him right before he hit that shot.

[Glenn Spencer]

Caddies can do wonders.

[PThomas]

Rob,

I don't think that I can buy that Norman admitted being flat for the playoff against Zoeller. I think that is the easy way of saying that you played bad and shot 75. 18 holes for the US Open over Winged Foot and you are not up for it. I don't buy it. 90 was 67-76. Inverness was really startling as well. 40 on the back.

excellent points Glenn...Norman let Tway in the door instead of slamming it shut

and being flat for a US Open playoff?  come on....

and I wonder if Faldo's undressing of him at TOC in 90 was in the back of his mind at Augusta in 96

[Glenn Spencer]

Paul,

I would imagine that is was. It was the first thing that I thought of. I remember it specifically. I played in a scramble on Sat. and when we got in, someone mentioned that Norman had a 6-shot lead. I asked who he was playing with and the answer was of course- Faldo. I was not excited about that news. Instead of a 90% chance of Norman winning, it fell to about 60% in my mind at that point.

[Robert Kimball]

Again, I have to admit a Norman favoritism from the beginning. But, I agree that it would be difficult not to be up for a US Open playoff, but I remember reading about it in Tom Boswell's "Strokes of Genius." He described Norman as flat that day, and I am not sure if it was a quote or not.  

And I do agree that Norman's mind set on that fateful Sunday was probably skewed when he slept on the lead and knew that he was paired with Faldo the next day.

And I almost forget that he could have won it in '99 as well. But Ollie played great that day -- incredible short game and touch around the greens.

[PThomas]

I always thought that the 8th hole at the 96 Masters was a killer..if I remember correctly Norman was up close for par after being in trouble, and it looked like he might get a half there...and then Faldo rolled in about a 25 footer for birdie!

[Glenn Spencer]

Again, I have to admit a Norman favoritism from the beginning. But, I agree that it would be difficult not to be up for a US Open playoff, but I remember reading about it in Tom Boswell's "Strokes of Genius." He described Norman as flat that day, and I am not sure if it was a quote or not.  

And I do agree that Norman's mind set on that fateful Sunday was probably skewed when he slept on the lead and knew that he was paired with Faldo the next day.

And I almost forget that he could have won it in '99 as well. But Ollie played great that day -- incredible short game and touch around the greens.

I did not hear a cheer for Nicklaus on TV that seemed as loud as the one for the eagle that Norman made at 13. One of my favorite golf moments ever. Ollie was just too good that day, as his birdie putt on that hole signaled.

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