Norman Sees He's Stirred The Pot And Sets The Record Straight With A Bizarro Facebook Post

First of all, who knew Greg Norman was on Facebook?

Of course, his URL is facebook.com/thegreatwhiteshark, which might be enough for most to roll their eyes and move on. But not John Strege, who thankfully Tweeted this link.

In Norman's post responding to the relatively minor backlash to the "Tiger-is-intimidated" remarks earlier this week, he wants to set the record straight.

Here goes...

Got off the plane from Beijing this morning and my Iphone just blew up with emails and voicemails regarding my interview with Robert Lusetich of Fox Sports.

No WiFi on the jet Gregster? I bet the 737 woulda have had WiFi. Sorry, go on…

It seems that everyone from Charles Barkley (no Charles I was not referencing or comparing Tiger's record to mine) to John Doe has weighed in on my quote regarding intimidation.

Uh, you did say that you took the baton from Jack Nicklaus, winner of 18 majors to your two wonderful Open Championship wins. But keep digging…

I stand by my comments and for those that choose to read the full article and not just "grasp" and "react" to one word will notice that the headline and byline were inconsistent with the content of what Robert wrote.

Not really, but we'll throw you a bone and let you off the hook. For now.

When you look at my comments in the full context of the article, you will see that it provides a more balanced view of my sentiments on this topic. Which is, since the PGA Championship Tiger has not made any impact on the weekend in passing Rory for the title.

What title would that be?

This has not happened in his career prior to this run by Rory. During the PGA Championship broadcast I spoke at length about Tiger and I maintain that no one has swung the club better in the history of the game, especially during the year 2000. At the end of the day, Tiger is a great athlete and a great student of the game and he will continue to win, but we are seeing a transition away from his dominance. Rivalry and parity is great for the game of golf.

Parity is great? I don't know, I think Greg Norman winning nine majors would have been pretty swell. But if you say so…

Unfortunately for Rory, I think that the trademark for “The Intimidator” is already registered with Dale Earnhardt.

Everyone on three: one, two, three…OY VEY!

Comments

[Colin MacGillivray]

"Rivalry and parity is great for the game of golf"
Well no actually. We love champs who thrash the opposition- whatever the sport. We don't like 25 different guys winning majors.
Sumo has champs- yokozuna and a special name for when a low ranked wrestler beats them, because it's so rare.

[Ivan Morris]

Much ado about nothing. When a top golfer says something vaguely interesting it's twisted to mean more (or something different) than what was intended. If a top golfer cracks a joke - it can become a provocation. I'm not saying that Norman's 'Intimidator' comment was a joke, mind you - a tongue in cheek comment in response to a question is more likely? Would we prefer it if nobody ever said nuthin' - like Tiger does most of the time?

[carnaptious and camsteerie]

CM ... agree with you but only up to a point. Jack Nicklaus had to work much harder for his wins. Seems to me that, latterly, Tiger Woods was pretty much given a free pass by the opposition, ending only in 2009 when Yang beat him 'in the clinch'. Up to 'the Yang moment', I found his latter wins underwhelming (exception - win against Rocco Mediate).

[digsouth]

''I found his latter wins underwhelming''... Thank you..I have searched for the ''feeling'' and you described it- players rolling over like some excited puppy, just short of peeing on themseles-no more.

Sumo? I thought all the ping pong was bad enough. Is it just down here, or don't other men gather and play POOL, and not ~ping~pong~? Have a cold Ovaltine with that serve, Kuch?

[No Longer Used to be Former S & T Convert]

When you find yourself in a hole,........(you guys know the rest)

[Mdrgolf]

No doubt Norman is a self absorbed prick. But his comments "blowing up" are why it's best to keep your mouth shut, or talk but say nothing (like Tiger). That is unless you can't stand not being in the limelight, right Greg ? Greg should know about intimidation, accomplished less with more that any player in history.

And you guys that think Jack had to "work harder" for his majors. Please. How. Any times in Jack's career were there 20 different straight major winners. Jack had 8 guys he had to beat to win his.

[Lip Out]

I'm starting to feel sorry for Norman. Everything he says lately has a "remember me?" feel to it. And frankly, his almost unimaginable inability to close major tournaments makes the lack of multiple major wins for talented guys like Couples, Love, Wadkins, etc look even more damning HOF-wise. Cripes, during Norman's time at the top it seems all you had to do was sit back and wait for the collapse. Without Norman's tight collar, we would have never had Fuzzy Zoeller as US Open champ, the 1986 Masters, a Paul Azinger or Corey Pavin Ryder Cup captaincy, Nick Faldo as a three time Masters champ or Larry Mize.

[Media maven]

agree he's a jerk but undoubtedly the unluckiest golfer in history...some of it he allowed to happen but still....the Mize shot alone was 1 million to one.

[jjshaka]

I guess I'm missing something, but that quote doesn't strike me as bizarre at all- backtracking yes , but that's about it.

[Ghost of Perry Maxwell]

Pro golf needs controversy (to make it interesting)

This helps make things fun

[smails]

has-been trying to get his name in the paper.

[Ivan Morris]

In defense of a shark - I’d rather be a “Has Been,”
Than a “Might Have Been” by far.
For a “Might Be” is a “Hasn’t Been,”
But a “Has” was once an “Are.”

Harrumph the begrudgers!

;-)))o)))

[benseattle]

What's most pathetic about the humpback-sized ego of Greg Norman is that it conveniently gets in the way of the facts. How convenient that he "takes over from Jack" while blindly omitting the dominance of a certain Tom Watson. Winner of eight majors, Player of the Year in
1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984. Leading money winner in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984. Vardon Trophy 1977, 1978, 1979.

Greg Norman will only be remembered as a choking dog, an underachieving afterthought. Oh wait... he also wore a really stupid hat.

[Average Golfer]

I'm pleasantly suprised that Norman knows who Dale Earnhardt is.

[Press Agent]

@benseattle, even with his inability to keep his mouth shut lately and his obviously overgrown ego, your comments miss the mark by a huge margin. The shark choked a few for sure, but in his day he was "the guy" on tour. He was the big draw, he commanded appearance fees, he was the player every tournament wanted to show up. He was number one in the world for 62 weeks. When he challenged for the Open Championship again just a few years ago, the crowds were out in droves to see the Shark again. It's already proven out that he'll be remembered for more than what you credit him with. By your line of thinking, Tiger Woods will only be remembered as a philandering pig.

[Danny Boy]

@Press Agent...I totally disagree with you. Most people I know don't care nor do they mention TIger's indiscretions, but they do know Norman as a first class choker. Although, I'm guessing Andy Mill probably thinks Norman is much worse than a "philandering pig."

[Tighthead]

Watson never fully seized the baton from Jack. Last major was 1983.

[Slicer]

NORMAN SOUND LIKE A REJECTED LOVER THAT IS BEING IGNORED , TIGER SHOW THAT MAN SOME LOVE MAN

[Murl]

The only time Greg Norman every impressed me was the day he convinced Chris Evert to marry him. I still think she's hot to this day. Everything else he's done in life pales in comparison. The fact that he couldn't make it work with her speaks more to his overblown ego than anything else. My guess is that Chrissy got tired of waiting for the Viagra to kick in.