Norman hails caddie Hewitt

LEYTON HEWITT was acclaimed by Greg Norman after his debut as caddie to the former world number one went like a dream.

Norman was tied for fifth after three straight birdies at the end of his round gave him a five-under-par 67.

Hewitt and Norman attracted a huge gallery at the Hyatt Regency Coolum course, and the former Wimbledon and US Open tennis champion got top marks from his veteran compatriot.

"He knew exactly what he was doing," said Norman.

"He knew the yardages, he knew where the pins were. There was not one situation where I thought, 'Is he okay?'. "If you have a smart sportsman's head on your shoulders, you respect the sport you are playing. He was great, absolutely phenomenal."

The round, which included not one dropped shot, meant Norman trailed joint leaders Peter Senior and Steve Collins by three shots. The front-runners both carded superb 64s on a course which justified the claims of greenkeepers who had promised low scoring.

Rod Pampling, playing with Norman, was in third place on 65, while Martin Doyle was a shot back in fourth place.

Only two non-Australians featured in the top 20 Swede Jens Nilsson, who joined Norman and six others on 67, and American Joe Ogilvie, who shot 68.

Ernie Els has been named Asprey Golfer of the Year for the second-successive season.

Els won five times on the European Tour and captured the Volvo Order of Merit for the first time.