Norman and son on course

13 April 2012

Greg Norman is hoping to become the oldest winner of the Open Championship by employing one of the youngest caddies, his teenage son Gregory.

Should Norman confound the form book by lifting the Claret Jug for a third time on Sunday evening, when he will be 49 years and 160 days old, he will easily eclipse Old Tom Morris, who was 46 years and 99 days when he set the mark for victorious veterans in 1867.

The Australian, who these days prefers to spend most of his time expanding his business empire rather than competing in golf tournaments, comes to Royal Troon without a regular caddie.

Tony Navarro, with whom the Great White Shark achieved so much success, is now carrying the bag of exciting young Aussie prospect Adam Scott.

So Norman, winner of The Open at Royal St George's in 1993 and again at Turnberry in 1986, has recruited his 18-year-old son in the hope that the family way might be a winning way as it was for Jack Nicklaus at the Masters 18 years ago.

Nicklaus, then aged 46, became one of the oldest players to win a major with son Jack Jnr on the bag.

Norman said: "It would be nice if we could emulate Jack. Gregory and I are both very excited. This kind of opportunity comes round very rarely, especially in a major championship, and the British Open at that.

"Gregory has been practising with me. He knows how to play the game, he was co-captain of his high school team in Florida so he knows what he is doing."

Norman's performance last July on his happy hunting ground of Royal St George's suggests he shouldn't be written off as a contender this week.

At the Kent course he opened with a 69 and closed with a scintillating 68. Unfortunately middle rounds of 79 and 74 meant his finishing position was no better than tied for 18th.

Norman said: "My expectations have got to stay low because I don't have a lot of match practice. But if I get in there pretty solidly there is no reason why I can't win it.

"Always, for me, the British Open is the only Open. Obviously I've got a little more favouritism for it because I've won it a couple of times. You get the sniff of it on Wednesday, you get the big whiff of Open oxygen. It comes rushing into you and I'll be very excited, especially because my son will be on the bag."

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Norman and son on course

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