Norman prepares another challenge for elusive prize

THERE HAVE been compensations, like his recovery from near-bankruptcy in to estimated current wealth of $60 million . But one suspects that Greg Norman would trade a significant portion of that fortune for the privilege of being fitted with an extremely elusive green jacket, in the Butler Cabin at Augusta National, on Sunday evening.

In IS challenges for the US Masters since his debut in 1981, he has filled all of the minor placings from runner-up to sixth, including a share of third behind Ben Crenshaw last year. But the breakthrough has still to be achieved.

Norman couldn't fail to have noticed references here this week to a pushed four-iron wide of the 72nd green in 1986 and the infamous chip-in by Larry Mize at the second tie-hole a year later. But he wears those disappointments with a patient shrug. "I've been very lucky that my golfing skills have given me so much to be grateful for," he said yesterday, while contemplating yet another challenge on a course he admires enormously.

"Sure, the level of expectation has been very high over the years, but I consider it a great compliment that the media and my fellow professionals should think of me that way. It stimulates me. I see it as a reflection of my approach to the game.

The fact is that he is badly in need of mental stimulation, having missed successive cuts - at Bay Hill and the Players' Championship - for the first time in his career. Indeed there is a suspicion that he may be losing the battle to serve golf and Mammon, despite a remarkably successful 1995.

Apart from leading the US money list, he brought off quite a business coup, turning his original investment of $1.9 million in Cobra Golf into a $40 million return. when the company was sold to American Brands.

"I believe certain things are meant to happen," Norman went on. "In golf, there will be many occasions when you'll find yourself asking, why the ball bounced in a certain way. But if you re honest, you'll accept that the bounces all balance out in the long term. So, I don't dwell on the things that have happened to me here.

"I also believe that the two missed cuts I've had could work to my advantage. I believe they had to do with my mental approach to the game. I could feel that things weren't right, midway through the third round of the Honda (in which he eventually tied for 17th place)."

Norman added: "I'd give my game a strong seven out of 10 at the moment," he admitted, before quickly adding, "but that needn't be a problem. It's still possible to win here if you're concentration is good, you putt well and to manage your game half decently."

Norman would have won no prizes for course management during practice on Monday when he and Tiger Woods tried a novel approach to playing the 435-yard ninth - by hitting their drives out over magnolia trees and onto the first fairway. "With Tiger's length, I told him he would need only a sandwedge to the green from there, given that the first fairway was mown green to tee," Norman explained yesterday. "And he did it. I'll tell you, that kid is long, possibly even longer than John Daly."

The pair were together again in practice yesterday, reflecting Norman's generosity of spirit. And it was obvious that the company of the young American was helping to ease the inevitable pressure of the long build-up to tee-off time tomorrow.

Meanwhile, players responded positively to the only significant change in the course for this, the 60th staging of the tournament. The level of the tributary of Rae's Creek which guards the front of the wickedly difficult 13th, green, has been lowered, making it possible for competitors to play recovery shots from the water.

This will be recalled as the hole where tournament leader Curtis Strange donned his wet suit and attempted to splash his way to, victory in 1985. As it happened, he took a bogey six in a final round of 71 and was overhauled by Bernhard Langer. The water level was raised in 1989, when a trickle became a pond from which there was no chance of recovery.

"I think it's exciting to see somebody taking their shoes off, putting on a wet suit and going down there after it," said Strange yesterday. "It was always a part of the tournament before the change in 1989 made it a black and white situation. I like the idea of restoring the option."

Meanwhile, the consensus is that at this stage of the week, the course is firmer than it has been for some years past. Fairways have been mowed to three-eighths of an inch, tees to a quarter of an inch and greens to one eighth of an inch. And they will remain at that height until the conclusion of the tournament, subject to weather conditions.

On level areas, the pace of the greens is probably about 11 on the Stimpmeter, but there are precious few level areas. So, as they continue to firm up, speeds of 13 or even higher may be anticipated, down the slopes.