Norman to miss US Masters this year
IN: News | US PGA | US Masters (2003) | General | 29 Jan 2003
Greg Norman received a letter from Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson several days ago, however, it was not the news that he may have hoped for. Johnson had written to Norman to say that a special invitation to play the Masters, which he received last year when he was also unqualified to play, would not be repeated this year. The Augusta chairman invited Norman to be a guest of the club during the tournament but during preparations for the Heineken Classic this week, The Shark said that he would politely decline.
Of course, Norman could still make it to the Masters but he would have to boost his world ranking from its current 121 into the top 50 after the US Players Championship in the last week of March or be in the top 10 on the US Tour money list for 2003, also by the end of March 2003. He will play in just four USPGA Tour events before the Augusta deadline, and he still believes it is possible to boost his ranking back into the top 50.
The Shark competed in 22 Masters back-to-back and has finished runner-up on three heart-breaking occassions. In 1987 Larry Mize chipped in from off the green to snatch victory from Norman in a playoff. he also lost to Nick Faldo in 1996 after taking a massive six stroke lead into the final round.
Despite his form not being quite what it was in the 80's and 90's, Norman is still a crowd favourite and will be sorely missed by the Augusta gallery and the worldwide TV audience come April 10, 2003.
