"I'm my last few years on the regular Tour, there were other things stimulating me more than chasing a little white ball. I was bursting with ideas."

So many laugh-out-loud moments in Greg Norman's Global Golf Post interview with Lewine Mair, where to start? Well thanks to reader Tim for making me read this, otherwise I would have skipped it.

On his venture into the beef business.

Bart and I were bouncing ideas off each other and he suggested Wagyu beef. I twas the right idea at the right time in that the start of our operation coincided with the era of Mad Cow disease in Europe.

The good fortune to have been positioned so well to take advantage of a mini-atrocity!

On his bid to design an Olympic golf course in Rio:

It's something I'm keen to do, quite apart from the fact that it ties in well with my new ambassadorial link with  Omega, the Olympic timekeepers.

You know when I heard Greg Norman and Olympic design, Omega ambassadorial link immediately hit me as a natural reason for him to build the course. Plus, chances are better than good that it'll need to be renovated before the Olympics, so that's work for another architect. I smell a winning bid!

The chances are my bid is going to be a joint affair with Lorena Ochoa. Lorena is just setting out in the world of course design and is keen to learn, which is fine by me.

And what better time to learn on the job than on a golf course that might be seen by millions and produce the first medalists in over 100 years!

On the Open at Birkdale, and gulp, a dreaded Chrissie question.

I was nice and relaxed by Thursday and, yes, I wanted to play well in front of Chrissie. I had been keen that she could come and see what I could do. We had some very good conversations about competitive situations and pressure.

Not so much since.

Mair asks about this Presidents Cup captaincy so soon after the breakup.

I just had to get on with it. It wasn't easy because everyone wanted to know what was going on. I didn't say anything then about the breakup and I've never said anything since. It may sound odd, but what helped that week was having my arm in a sling. Away from the fact it was very painful, it helped to deflect attention from the marriage situation.

Whatever it takes to protect the brand!

Comments

[Seitz]

You missed one of the best parts regarding Ochoa:

"It may be a learning process for her, but it can only help our cause that she can speak Spanish..."

Does Greg know they speak Portuguese in Brazil?

[Hawkeye]

To think that this man was once my hero...

[Marcus Coyote Esq.]

I feel your pain, Hawkeye!

[Satch]

Could he be anymore up himself?

[chico]

Satch-no.
If he was chocolate he would eat himself.

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

The questions were such that I would have thought Ms. Mair would have toned down the ego just a little bit before hitting "send" to her editor. Great catch from Seitz!

[Taylor Anderson]

He likes the word "keen".

[Wisconsin Reader]

So, is Norman really any more arrogant than Nicklaus or Watson had they had similar business successes? . . . When Norman was competing full time he was quite friendly with many Tour players - much more so than Nicklaus or Watson ever were. . . While Greg clearly has enjoyed financial largess in the Palmer style - he has also been changed by it and sees himself as a "master of the universe type" now.

But, Greg was a regular "mate's mate" in the old days while Jack and Tom were much more full of themselves.

[digsouth]

As Ken Venturi would say, "That Norman puts too much spin on the ball."

[Ryan F.]

Have any of you actually met Norman? He's really a hell of a nice guy whom all of you would enjoy being around.


But guys on the internet know it all, I guess?

[tlavin]

Wow, I really don't like this Norman guy. He was a successful golfer. He was ranked #1 in the world for a long time, won a bunch of tournaments. He has a successful wine company, a great beef company, a clothing company and a few other enterprises that have done quite well. I wish he'd sound more humble so I wouldn't think that I'm a worthless toad.

[mel]

Interesting comments. My recollection of Greg Norman is that he was very friendly with the media and fans but his only friend on tour was Nick Price. Sort of the Phil Mickelson of his day but with fewer majors.

[jstiles]

Suspect Norman will win bronze in the race to win the Olympic course design.

Hasn't Nicklaus teamed with Annika. No 1 all time with a near No 1. all time Tiger is obviously out.

Have no idea the make-up of or members of the Olympic committee that will select design team. If they are from Mexico or just South America, and Australia maybe Norman has a chance.

[Klink]

The brand synergy comments are beautiful. Spoken like a true 21st c honorary MBA.

[fatgoalie]

Greg doesn't need my defense, but he was always friendly when I dealt with him,
answered questions, and offered to help in the few times I asked him to.
Way more than others out there at the time

[digsouth]

Ryan, FG,

I have always been a fan, and couple buddies played in a pro am with him and had nothing but great things to say.

But still, Ken Venuri *did* always say he put too much spin on the ball.

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Indeed. The man could make a Spalding Tour Edition back up 20 yards, which was one of his amazing skills that tended not to help. Besides that, his taste in politicians is much better than the average tour pro. His Shiraz is pretty good, too.

[chico]

Played with him-didnt enjoy-his gamesmanship was way out of line.
My brother who used to work for the Williams F1 team met him often with his big mate Nigel Mansell and thought he was a great bloke.
Maybe a bit like Monty its where and when you meet him.

[Chuck]

Rio? He's that young guy on the Asian Tour, right?

[McHacker]

Heard my first "You da mans!" when Shark played out at Butler National...

[Old Hornet]

Norman is much more relaxed these days.

http://thedanzatap.com/?p=15678

[dormie]

Greg may have been a nice guy, and he's had some great success, but lets face it: He's turned into a f-ing dweeb who is sickening to listen to. I used to warship this guy.