Greg Norman Thinks Chris Evert Is Good for His Golf Game; Ex-Wife, Not So Much

Loren Roberts won the Senior British Open earlier this week, outlasting Greg Norman who, a year ago, finished fifth in the event a week after an improbable third-place showing at the Young Peoples British Open.

This time around, Norman, the 54-hole leader, carded a Sunday 71 (1-over), good for sixth. Perhaps not the final 18 holes of golf he was looking for, but not bad given that he spends more time on his various off-course business ventures than he does preparing for tournaments.

And as long as we're making excuses, here's one for why he didn't win more during his prime: his ex-wife. That's sorta the one he used in a recent television interview. At least according to The Australian:

He was asked this: "Had Chrissie been in your life 20 years ago would you have won some of those that got away?"

Norman replied: "Chrissie would have instilled a different thought process and I would have said the answer would probably be 'yes'."

Not surprisingly, this drew moans from the online gallery. And, yeah, I get that. The totality of Norman's career is impressive, but there are also plenty of train-wreck-tastic moments.

I'm not willing to blame his ex-wife for those tournaments "that got away," but I also didn't live with the woman. I have no idea what she's capable of. Not only that, but when you fork over $103 million, I think you can say whatever you want without recrimination. If Norman wants to blame Wife No. 1 for his final-round 78 at the '96 Masters, $103 gets him that.

In all seriousness, Norman didn't say, "My ex-wife clearly wanted me to lose, and the fact that I ever won is a testament to my awesomeness." He just responded to the question, and complimented his current wife in the process.

Hey, maybe he learned something from the first go-round. And given the success Norman has had on the course since he and Chris Evert got hitched, maybe he's right.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-28-2009 @ 10:11AM

hockeykev12 said...

What a STUPID article

7-28-2009 @ 11:05AM

jzw1953 said...

Sure is. well Norman is 0-2 in tournaments leading after 54 holes since he married Evert.
Nothing has change. Still can't close the deal.

7-30-2009 @ 8:22PM

michaeldh2413 said...

who cares??????

Rick Framme said...

Maybe Chris kisses his balls and putter for good luck. Maybe his first wife refused to do that. LOL

7-30-2009 @ 8:25PM

JBenChicago said...

If this is his MO, then it's only a matter of time before Chrissie becomes the reason he sucks!

7-30-2009 @ 8:45PM

brmvol said...

Once a choker, always a choker. Greg Norman is an arrogant choker.

7-30-2009 @ 9:24PM

G Hale said...

How many people are out of work and this crap is what you write about? Fanhouse on AOL just might have the stupidest writers ever. Let some of the unemployed write for awhile. The topics would be better and more folks would actually enjoy them. Whoever wrote, what a stupid article was dead on. This site sucks!!!!!!!!!

7-30-2009 @ 10:22PM

Nancy S. said...

Really disappointed in Norman, and the writer should be ashamed of himself for saying Norman had the right to say what he did because of the alimony he paid - never mind that wife #1 put up with his crap for all those years and probably deserved more than $103. I didn't hear him complaining early on in his marriage and/or career. Shame on you Greg.

7-30-2009 @ 10:23PM

Nancy said...

7-30-2009 @ 10:40PM

Gib said...

Greg Norman should keep his mouth shut when asked questions relating to his ex-wife. He dumped his wife to marry her best friend. Class. Maybe it cost him $103 million. Imagine what it cost her and his kids. I suppose he has enough money to have someone shave him in the morning. It might be tough to have enough guts to look into the mirror and do it himself.