History of Greg Norman in Timeline
"Greg Norman is a celebrated Australian golfer known for his dominance in the 1980s and 1990s. Holding the top spot in the world rankings for 331 weeks, he boasts a remarkable record with 88 professional wins, including two Open Championship titles. His aggressive playing style earned him the nickname 'The Great White Shark,' solidifying his place as a golfing legend."
February 1955: Birth of Greg Norman
In February 1955, Greg Norman was born in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia to Mervin and Toini Norman.
1964: Attending Townsville Central State School
Greg Norman enrolled and began attending Townsville Central State School in 1964.
June 1974: Recognition at the Queensland Open
In June 1974, at 19 years old, Greg Norman garnered attention from the media at the Queensland Open after finishing one shot off of the lead after the first round.
March 1975: Turning Professional and Early Career
Greg Norman turned professional in March of 1975, working as an assistant professional at Beverley Park Golf Club in Sydney and then as a trainee under Charlie Earp at the Royal Queensland Golf Club.
1976: Partnership with Qantas
Greg Norman began a long-standing partnership with Qantas, the Australian airline, in 1976, aligning his brand with one of the country's most recognizable companies.
1976: First Professional Tournament and Victory
Greg Norman's first four-round professional tournament was the 1976 South Coast Open, where he finished in second place. He would go on to win his fourth ever professional tournament at the West Lakes Classic that same year.
1977: Unique Scoring System in Open Championships
The Open Championships in 1977 employed a 3rd round cut format, a departure from the traditional halfway cut.
1978: PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit
Greg Norman began his rise in professional golf by winning the PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit in 1978.
1980: Joining the European Tour and Early Success
Greg Norman joined the European Tour in 1980 and won his first event at the Martini International. He would go on to win several tournaments that year, including his first Australian Open.
1980: PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit
Norman secured his second PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit title in 1980.
1980: Open Championship Format
Similar to the 1977 tournament, the 1980 Open Championship also featured a 3rd round cut format.
July 1981: Norman's First Marriage
Greg Norman married Laura Andrassy, an American flight attendant, in July 1981. The couple had two children together: Greg Norman Jr. and Morgan-Leigh.
1981: Masters Debut and Continued Success
In 1981, Greg Norman finished in 4th place in his debut at the Masters Tournament. He also won the British Masters and Martini International that year.
1981: Earning the Nickname "The Shark"
Greg Norman earned the nickname "The Great White Shark" for his aggressive style of play during the 1981 Masters.
1982: European Tour Leading Money Winner
Greg Norman was the leading money winner on the European Tour in 1982, winning three events including the British Masters for the second consecutive year.
1982: European Tour's Order of Merit
In 1982, Norman showcased his talent on the European Tour by winning the Order of Merit.
1983: Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open Cut Short
Heavy rain forced the shortening of the 1983 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open to 36 holes.
1983: PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit
Norman's success on the PGA Tour of Australia continued in 1983 when he won the Order of Merit for the third time.
June 1984: Maiden PGA Tour Victory and U.S. Open Playoff
In June of 1984, Norman won his first PGA Tour event at the Kemper Open. He followed that up with a second place finish at the U.S. Open after losing an 18-hole playoff to Fuzzy Zoeller.
1984: Start of Dominant Driving Period
From 1984 onward, Greg Norman began a fourteen-season period where he consistently ranked among the top drivers on the PGA Tour.
1984: PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit
Norman achieved his fourth victory in the PGA Tour of Australia's Order of Merit in 1984.
1985: Australian Tournament Victories
In 1985, Greg Norman won the Toshiba Australian PGA Championship and the National Panasonic Australian Open.
1985: Rain Affects Australian Open
The 1985 National Panasonic Australian Open was reduced to 54 holes because of rain.
September 1986: European Success and Number One Ranking
In September 1986, Norman won the Panasonic European Open and his third World Match Play Championship. He finished the year ranked number one in the world.
1986: BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award
Norman's achievements in golf earned him the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award in 1986.
1986: Official World Golf Rankings and PGA Tour Money List
Norman finished 1986 at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings. He also topped the PGA Tour's money list in the same year.
1986: First Major Win
In 1986, Norman won his first major title at the Open Championship at Turnberry. He shot a record-tying 63 in the second round and won by five strokes.
1986: Arnold Palmer Award
In 1986, Greg Norman was awarded the Arnold Palmer Award for leading the U.S. PGA Tour in earnings.
1986: Eleven Worldwide Victories and the Open Championship
Greg Norman had 11 worldwide victories in 1986, including The Open Championship at Turnberry. He also won two PGA Tour events that year: the Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational and the Kemper Open.
1986: Near Misses at The Masters and U.S. Open
After leading the 1986 Masters after three rounds, Greg Norman would go on to lose by one stroke to Jack Nicklaus. He also led the U.S. Open after three rounds that year but faltered on the final day, finishing six strokes behind the winner, Raymond Floyd.
1986: The Norman Slam
In 1986, Greg Norman led all four major golf championships through 54 holes. He would go on to win the Open Championship at Turnberry for his only major victory of the year.
February 1987: Australian Masters Victory
Norman won the Australian Masters in February 1987.
1987: Official World Golf Rankings
For the second consecutive year, Norman ended 1987 ranked first in the Official World Golf Rankings.
1987: Greg Norman Golf Foundation Established
In 1987, Greg Norman and his father, Merv Norman, founded the Greg Norman Golf Foundation to provide professional golf guidance and instruction to young people in Queensland.
1987: Establishment of Greg Norman Golf Course Design
Norman's passion for golf course design led to the establishment of Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) in 1987, which has since become responsible for creating over 100 golf courses worldwide.
April 1988: MCI Heritage Golf Classic Win and Hall of Fame Induction
In April 1988, Norman won the MCI Heritage Golf Classic, inspired by a leukemia-stricken teenager. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame that year.
1988: PGA Tour Driving Distance Leader
Norman led the PGA Tour in driving distance in 1988, showcasing his exceptional ability to drive the golf ball long and straight.
1989: Official World Golf Rankings and Vardon Trophy
Greg Norman topped the Official World Golf Rankings in 1989 and won the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
1989: Near Misses at the Masters and Open Championship
Norman narrowly missed playoffs at both the Masters and Open Championship in 1989.
1989: PGA Tour Driving Distance Leader
Norman's powerful driving skills were on full display in 1989 when he again topped the PGA Tour in driving distance.
1990: Rain Shortens Memorial Tournament
The 1990 Memorial Tournament was shortened to 54 holes due to inclement weather conditions.
1990: Arnold Palmer Award
In 1990, Norman won his second Arnold Palmer Award as the U.S. PGA Tour's leading money winner.
1990: PGA Tour Success and Australian Masters Victory
Norman won the Doral-Ryder Open, Memorial Tournament, topped the PGA Tour money list, and won the Australian Masters for a record sixth time in 1990.
1990: Official World Golf Rankings, PGA Tour Money List, and Vardon Trophy
Norman dominated the golfing world in 1990, leading the Official World Golf Rankings, topping the PGA Tour's money list, and securing the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average on the Tour.
1992: Launch of The Greg Norman Collection
Reebok granted Greg Norman his own clothing line in 1992, launching The Greg Norman Collection. This marked the beginning of his successful venture into golf-inspired apparel.
1993: Lowest Open Championship Score
Greg Norman achieved the lowest total four-round score in the history of The Open Championship with a score of 267 in 1993. This record has since been broken by Henrik Stenson in 2016.
1993: Founding of Great White Shark Enterprises
Greg Norman established Great White Shark Enterprises (GWSE), later renamed the Greg Norman Company, in 1993. This marked his entry into the business world, expanding his brand beyond professional golf.
1993: BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award
Greg Norman received the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award for the second time in 1993, joining Muhammad Ali as one of the few multiple winners of this prestigious award.
1993: Second Open Championship Victory
Greg Norman won his second Open Championship in 1993.
1993: PGA Tour Driving Distance Leader
In 1993, Greg Norman continued to dominate off the tee, leading the PGA Tour in driving distance for the third time.
1993: Second Major Victory at the Open Championship
In 1993, Norman won his second major title at the Open Championship at Royal St George's, defeating a strong field with a final round of 64.
1993: Official World Golf Rankings
Norman finished 1993 as the second-ranked golfer in the Official World Golf Rankings.
1994: Lowest Players Championship Score
Norman set the record for the lowest total four-round score in The Players Championship history with a score of 264 in 1994.
1994: Official World Golf Rankings and Vardon Trophy
In 1994, Norman finished second in the Official World Golf Rankings and won the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
1994: Record-Breaking Performance at The Players Championship
Norman set records for the lowest scores at The Players Championship in 1994, winning by six strokes with a final score of 264.
1995: Arnold Palmer Award
Norman won his third Arnold Palmer Award in 1995, marking the third time he was the Tour's leading money winner.
1995: Official World Golf Rankings and PGA Tour Money List
In 1995, Norman achieved the top spot on both the Official World Golf Rankings and the PGA Tour's money list.
1995: World Number One and PGA Player of the Year
In 1995, Norman won the Memorial Tournament, Canon Greater Hartford Open, and NEC World Series of Golf, becoming the world's number one golfer. He was named PGA Player of the Year.
1996: Official World Golf Rankings
Greg Norman maintained his dominance in golf, finishing 1996 at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings.
1996: Masters Disappointment
Norman led the Masters by six strokes going into the final round in 1996 but lost to Nick Faldo after shooting a 78.
January 1997: Andersen Consulting World Championship Win
Norman won the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf in January 1997, earning his largest winner's check to date.
1997: End of Dominant Driving Period
After fourteen seasons, 1997 marked the end of Norman's consistent presence in the top 20 for total driving on the PGA Tour.
1997: Official World Golf Rankings
Norman ended 1997 as the world's top-ranked golfer according to the Official World Golf Rankings.
1998: Greg Norman Estates Wine Earns Recognition
Greg Norman Estates, Norman's wine company, gained significant recognition in 1998 when its 1998 Reserve Shiraz earned the number 8 spot in Wine Spectator's rankings, highlighting the quality and prestige of his wine.
1998: Injuries and Hiatus
Norman suffered hip and shoulder injuries in 1998, causing him to miss part of the season.
1999: Comeback Attempts at the Masters and Open
Norman returned to contention in 1999, finishing third at the Masters and sixth at the Open Championship.
2001: World Golf Hall of Fame Induction
Greg Norman was honored for his contributions to golf with an induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.
2003: Reflections on Injuries
In 2003, Norman attributed some of his injuries to the wear and tear of hitting millions of golf balls throughout his career.
2004: Trustee of the Environmental Institute for Golf
Greg Norman became a Trustee of the Environmental Institute for Golf in 2004.
2004: Investment in GPS Industries
Greg Norman invested in and became the ambassador for Vancouver-based GPS Industries in 2004, demonstrating his interest in and support for technological advancements in the golf industry.
2004: Norman Joins Environmental Institute for Golf
Greg Norman became a Trustee of the Environmental Institute for Golf and joined its advisory council in 2004, demonstrating his commitment to environmental sustainability in golf.
February 2005: Turning 50 and Senior Golf
Norman turned 50 in February 2005 but remained distant from the senior golf circuit due to business and lingering injuries.
October 2005: Knee Surgery
Norman underwent knee surgery in October 2005.
2005: The Greg Norman Collection Reaches $100 Million in Annual Sales
The Greg Norman Collection's popularity and success in the market were evident in 2005 when it reached $100 million in annual sales, solidifying its position in the golf apparel industry.
February 2006: Second Knee Surgery
Norman had another knee surgery in February 2006.
2006: Norman's Divorce from Laura Andrassy
Greg Norman and Laura Andrassy divorced in 2006 after 25 years of marriage, with Andrassy receiving a $105 million settlement.
2006: "The Way of the Shark" Publication
Greg Norman's autobiography, "The Way of the Shark," hit the shelves in 2006, offering insights into his life and career.
2007: Sport Australia Hall of Fame "Legend" Status
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Australian sport, Greg Norman was elevated to "Legend" status in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2007.
June 2008: Norman's Marriage to Chris Evert
Greg Norman married former World No. 1 tennis player Chris Evert in a ceremony held in the Bahamas in June 2008.
July 2008: Third Place Finish at The Open Championship
In July 2008, at age 53, Norman finished tied for third at The Open Championship after leading after 54 holes, setting a record for the oldest player to do so.
2008: Old Tom Morris Award
Norman received the Old Tom Morris Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), in 2008.
2008: Bartlett Award Recipient
In 2008, the Golf Writers Association of America awarded Greg Norman the Bartlett Award for his charitable work.
2009: Q150 Icons of Queensland
As part of the Q150 celebrations in 2009, Greg Norman was named one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland in recognition of his status as a "sports legend."
2009: Queensland Sport Hall of Fame Induction
Greg Norman was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame in 2009, honoring his remarkable achievements in golf and his contributions to Queensland sport.
2009: Nick Price Acknowledges Norman's Driving Prowess
Nick Price, a fellow professional golfer, acknowledged Greg Norman's exceptional driving ability in 2009, calling him the "best driver I ever saw."
November 2010: Norman's Third Marriage
Following his divorce from Chris Evert, Greg Norman married interior designer Kirsten Kutner in November 2010 on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. His son, Greg Jr., served as best man.
2011: Debut of Greg Norman Eyewear
Greg Norman Eyewear, a brand of sunglasses designed specifically for golf, debuted in 2011. This venture expanded his brand's reach into the eyewear industry, catering to golfers seeking high-quality, performance-driven sunglasses.
April 2014: Norman Joins Fox Sports as Golf Commentator
Greg Norman joined Fox Sports' golf commentary team alongside Joe Buck in April 2014 to cover the USGA championships starting in 2015.
2015: Mohammed bin Salman Becomes Saudi Arabia's De Facto Ruler
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman became the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia in 2015, assuming control of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which later became the majority owner of LIV Golf Investments.
2015: Norman's US Open Commentary Debut
Greg Norman debuted as a golf commentator for Fox Sports at the 2015 U.S. Open.
2015: Greg Norman Medal, Australian Global Icon Award, and National Golf Course Owner's Association Award of Merit
The year 2015 marked significant recognition for Norman's contributions to Australian golf. The PGA of Australia established the Greg Norman Medal in his honor, to be awarded to the best Australian male or female golfer annually. He was also honored with the Australian Global Icon Award and the National Golf Course Owner's Association Award of Merit in the same year.
January 2016: Norman Replaced by Azinger at Fox Sports
After facing criticism for his commentary at the 2015 U.S. Open, Greg Norman was replaced by Paul Azinger as the lead golf analyst for Fox Sports in January 2016.
June 2016: First Shark Wake Park Opens
Greg Norman, in partnership with his son, Greg Norman Jr., opened the first Shark Wake Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in June 2016, expanding his brand into the world of wakeboarding.
2016: Company Rebranding
The Greg Norman Company underwent a rebranding in 2016, reflecting its evolution into a multi-national corporation with a diverse portfolio of businesses.
2017: Authentic Brands Group Partnership
Authentic Brands Group became a controlling partner for the consumer products division of The Greg Norman Company in 2017, marking a significant development in the company's structure and strategic direction.
2017: Launch of Connected Golf Cart
In 2017, Greg Norman partnered with Verizon, GPSi, and Club Car to launch a connected golf cart, bringing technological innovation to the golfing experience with touchscreen displays for music and GPS.
June 2019: Second Shark Wake Park Opens
Following the success of the first location, a second, larger Shark Wake Park opened in West Palm Beach, Florida in June 2019, further expanding the brand's presence in the wakeboarding industry.
December 2020: Norman Hospitalized with COVID-19
In December 2020, Greg Norman was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19. He shared an update on his condition via Instagram, expressing his anticipation for recovery and a brighter future.
2021: CEO of LIV Golf Investments
In 2021, Greg Norman was named CEO of LIV Golf Investments, a startup company financed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.
2021: Norman's Hopes for Post-COVID Future
While recovering from COVID-19, Greg Norman expressed optimism about his future endeavors in 2021 and beyond, demonstrating his resilience and forward-looking perspective.
May 2022: Norman's Comments on LIV Golf and Saudi Arabia
In May 2022, Greg Norman made controversial statements regarding LIV Golf's connection to Saudi Arabia, denying that they were his bosses and claiming independence despite the Public Investment Fund's majority ownership.
2022: Start of the LIV Golf Invitational Series
The LIV Golf Invitational Series, led by Greg Norman, began in 2022.
2022: LIV Golf Invitational Series Launched
Under the leadership of Greg Norman as CEO, LIV Golf Investments launched the LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2022. This new professional golf tour aimed to challenge the established PGA Tour and European Tour, sparking controversy and debate within the golf world.