Greg Norman is one of the best and most successful players to ever have graced our wonderful game.
With two major championships to his name, and 88 worldwide victories, Norman left a lasting impression on the professional game.
However, it’s no exaggeration to say that he was far from the most popular player in the game, especially during his prime.
That said, many younger Australian professionals idolized him when they were growing up. Adam Scott has often shared his admiration for Norman, and credited the now 70-year-old with playing a major role in his success.
He was highly respected outside America as well. Phil Mickelson said he had the ‘utmost respect’ for Norman, during the time they spent together on LIV Golf.
However, those who competed face-to-face with him usually have completely different accounts of what he was actually like.
Sir Nick Faldo has been very open about his on-course battles with the Australian throughout the years.
The best example of their frosty relationship came in 1996 at Augusta National when neither player uttered a word to one another during the final round, before Faldo finally let down his guard after destroying Norman to win The Masters by five shots.
However, this time a less well-known player took to the airwaves to share the hostility he felt when playing with Norman.
Player reveals why Greg Norman was ‘horrible to play with’
Lucas Parsons, an Australian professional golfer with nine wins to his name including one DP World Tour victory, opened up on what it was like to play with Norman in his prime, when speaking on the Talk Birdie To Me Podcast.
And his experience was not a pleasant one.
Parsons shared a story of when he played alongside Norman in the first ever Greg Norman Holden International in 1993 – a tournament which ‘The Great White Shark’ was hosting.
Interestingly, Parsons won the event seven years later, in 2000. However, his appearance in 1993 left a sour taste in his mouth.
Parsons said: “I got to play with him and it wasn’t a pleasant experience I have to say, in the end. We played at the Lakes in Sydney.
“Norman just had an aura about him, 6ft 1in tall, wide shoulders and he just had that look.
“Greg was just whinging at me all the way to the tee and I just crumbled in a way, I was four months into my career. Greg was number one in the world and he was my idol.
“I shot 46 on the front nine. I’d be on the green, walking this way and he’d just walk right in front of me, it was intimidation, intimidation.
“He was horrible to play with over those two days.
“I just tried to get in his way and do the same back to him. When he walked in my line, I walked right into him and nearly knocked him in the bunker, and Greg said, ‘sorry I didn’t see you mate’, and I said, ‘I didn’t see you either‘.
“I actually stopped doing that because I felt like crap doing it.
“For some reason, Greg thought, I think he did that to people he thought he could prey on a bit.
“He’s certainly a better friend than an enemy, because he was horrible those two days.”
What Greg Norman said after officially leaving LIV Golf
Back in 2022 it was Norman who played the lead role in the inception of LIV Golf.
He was the face of the Saudi-backed golf league and his reputation in the game suffered as a result.
However, Scott O’Neil took over from Norman as the new CEO of LIV in early 2025, and now the Australian golfing legend has moved on completely from the setup.
Norman released a lengthy statement after leaving LIV, sharing his pride at his involvement in the founding of the golf league.
He said: “After four unforgettable years, I have officially closed out my time with LIV Golf, and reflecting with nothing but gratitude, pride and achievement.
“Together, we built a movement that changed the game globally. We created opportunities for both players and fans and broadened the ecosystem of golf. We truly globalized the game and expanded golf’s reach to fans around the world.
“We brought entertainment, innovation and private equity into golf (including to the PGA Tour), positioning the sport as an asset class. It’s been an incredible chapter, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished.
“My commitment to do what was and still is, the right thing for golf, the players and fans never wavered. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey with me during this time.
“I’ll always look back on this time with great fulfilment and appreciation. As for what’s next… stay tuned! Exciting times ahead. Onward to the next adventure soon.”
As Norman says, what is next for him remains to be seen. Knowing him, though, he will make a big impact in whatever he chooses to do.
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