Shark looking forward to seniors after 'dead period'

Greg Norman is looking forward to competing on the seniors circuit after a “dead period” in his career.

Norman turns 50 on February 10 and after playing a number of regular tour events, including the Dubai Desert Classic, will play his first senior event in the senior USPGA championship at Laurel Valley in May.

“The weird part about turning 50 is that there is about a five-year dead period in your golfing career, between 46 and 50,” said Norman ahead of the Heineken Classic in Melbourne.

“You are really wallowing around in a no-man’s zone. You like to complete on the regular tour but are you as sharp as the younger players? No. Do you have an advantage over them? No. When you go out and play you find a bit of a void.

“I’m looking forward to playing the senior major championships because I know the golf courses are going to be set up pretty tough.

“I don’t think that 50 is a mark that you should be worried about. The last two years have been the best two years of my life, phenomenal. I have never felt more at peace with myself.

“If I feel this great at 50 I have plenty more great years ahead of me. I have done a tremendous job of physically keeping my back in shape.

“I am not 100% in my back and I never will be, even with surgery. I’ve opted not to have surgery, just work out through physical therapy and training. That is why I am a lot more happy with myself because I really have a lot of things under control.”

Norman has not won a tournament for seven years and last year missed his first US Masters since 1981, and admits at times he did not want to be out on the course.

“My back was killing me, I was having pain down to the big toe of my right leg and I couldn’t perform. I’ve always been a believer of performing to the best of my ability no matter what I did or where I was.

"Because my body would not allow me to perform that way I was frustrated and I showed it. I wear my heart on my sleeve. If you want me to go out there and not show it, I will. Then you will say, ’What’s wrong with Greg?”’

Asked if he will be smiling this week, Norman added: “Oh yes. But I’m not known to smile all 72 holes. I’m sure I will be upset when I hit one in the tea-trees or three-putt.”

Norman did not have the chance to put that theory to the test today, with the pre-tournament pro-am cancelled due to heavy rain in Melbourne.