Since entering semi-retirement several years ago, Greg Norman has made few golfing headlines save for his out-of-nowhere bid for a third Open Championship title two summers ago at Royal Birkdale and his captaincy of last fall's International side at the Presidents Cup.
These days the savvy 55-year-old golfer turned businessman spends far more time in boardrooms than press centres, but on the rare occasion now when he does address the golfing media we're reminded that being the best player in the world and the best interview need not be mutually exclusive titles.
In a wide-ranging interview with the scotsman.com last week, The Great White Shark shared his unique take on numerous subjects including Tiger Woods, the Ryder Cup and the future of golf.
On Tiger's legacy post-scandal:
"His legacy, unfortunately, will be created not by the number of majors he won but what happened in 2009-10. Cyberspace is a killer. No matter what you do it is there. He's got to try and live with that. But time is a great healer. He'll be back."
On whether Tiger can pass Nicklaus:
"I don't think the record of 18 majors (held by Jack Nicklaus] is a sure thing any more. As he gets older, the kids are getting younger. And they are not intimidated by him any more."
His advice for Woods:
"The pundits should sit back and be quiet and leave him alone. Yes, he feathered his own nest and created his own problems. Tiger now has to go through new learning curves in a lot of ways because he never had any naysayers his whole life, he's had nothing but admirers. He has to re-invent himself to a degree, both in his golf swing and in his private life.
On Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup picks:
"Interesting choices. But, no matter who you choose, you're always going to get people throwing darts at you for making the wrong choices. Sometimes it is not necessarily pure and simply for their play. It can also be for their chemistry and relationship with other players."
On why Harrington deserves a place on the team:
"Padraig is a consumate professional and always has been," he said. "His focus and discipline to execute things at the highest level is amazing. I still think the second shot he hit in at the 71st hole at Birkdale is one of the top three shots I've ever seen in my life. It was a gutsy shot off the lie he had and the howling wind coming left to right. But that's the character of the guy."
On the future of golf:
"Where I think it will change dramatically in 20 years time is that the west will be overtaken by the east. The might of China hasn't come through yet. We are starting to see it transform with the Koreans but just wait until China gets its 30 million golfers - the western world will have no chance."
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News and Notes
If you follow Lisa Pavin on Twitter (@captainess2010), wife of U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey, you're well aware that she isn't afraid to voice her opinions.
And in a cover story for their latest edition, Avid Golfer magazine reveals just how much Mrs. Pavin has immersed herself in several key decisions and her willingness to contact team members herself, day or night.
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Speaking of the Pavins, it's no secret they're a devoutly religious pair. But what type of role, if any, should religion play in the Ryder Cup?
The Wall Street Journal has produced this fine piece examining the role religion has played in past Ryder Cups and how it differs between the U.S. and European teams.
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It's been a good past few days for European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.
On Sunday, PGA Champion Martin Kaymer won the KLM Open for this second-consecutive win and then came word that world No. 3 Lee Westwood is on course to play in the Ryder Cup after missing several weeks with a calf injury.
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If Monday Night Football isn't your thing and you can't enough Tiger dirt, a British documentary on Woods' sexploits is set to air tonight. Among the interesting theories presented: "Tiger Woods" was a project dreamed up by Earl Woods and that Earl arranged for Tiger to be hypnotized, have his mind wiped clean before the teenage golfer played in big competitions.
