Greg Norman
The Great White Shark: 331 weeks at world No. 1, two Open Championships, and a business empire.
Gregory John Norman (born 10 February 1955) is an Australian retired professional golfer who spent 331 weeks as world number one in the 1980s and 1990s. He won 88 professional tournaments, including 20 PGA Tour tournaments and two majors: The Open Championship in 1986 and 1993. Norman also earned thirty top-10 finishes and was the runner-up eight times in majors throughout his career. In a reference to his blond hair, size, aggressive golf style and his birthplace's native coastal animal, Norman's nickname is "the Great White Shark" (often shortened to just "the Shark"), which he earned after his play at the 1981 Masters.
Lore & Background
Norman's business interests began during his playing career. He is the chairman and CEO of the Greg Norman Company, a global corporation with a portfolio of companies in fields including apparel, interior design, real estate, wine production, private equity and golf course design. Between 2021 and 2025, he was the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, a start-up company financed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund; the LIV Golf Invitational Series of golf tournaments began in 2022. Norman has donated to and established numerous charities and charity events, like the QBE Shootout which benefits the CureSearch for Children's Cancer fund. He became a Trustee of the Environmental Institute for Golf in 2004 and received the Golf Writers Association of America's Bartlett Award in 2008 for his charitable work.
In Their Own Story
The August air at Shinnecock Hills hung thick and salt-heavy in June 1986. Norman stood over a 14-foot putt on the 18th, the crowd a distant roar behind the gallery ropes. He hadn't worn socks since the first tee. The leather of his bare feet was tan and rough from weeks of walking links courses in Australia. He lined up, felt the grain of the green through his toes, and stroked the ball with a quiet, almost casual follow-through. It dropped. The gallery erupted. He didn't smile. He simply picked up his clubs, walked to the 19th hole, and let the noise wash over him like the Pacific swell off Coffs Harbour. Four majors. One year. The shark had fed.
Reader's Guide
Norman was born in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia to Mervin and Toini Norman. His mother taught him golf at age 15. He turned professional as of March 1975. His first professional win was the 1976 West Lakes Classic. He joined the European Tour in 1977 and won his first European event that season. He joined the U.S. PGA Tour in 1983. His first PGA Tour win was the 1984 Kemper Open. He won his first major at the 1986 Open Championship at Turnberry, shooting a second-round 63 and winning by five shots. He also won the 1993 Open Championship. He held the lead after 54 holes in all four majors in 1986 (the 'Saturday Slam') but only won The Open that year.
Did You Know?
- Norman spent 331 weeks as world number one.
- He earned the nickname 'the Great White Shark' after his play at the 1981 Masters.
- He won five Australian Opens.
- He was the leading money winner on the European Tour in 1982.
- He topped the U.S. PGA Tour money list in 1986.
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