If you were on Twitter last night, there's a half-decent chance you got sucked into the phenomenon that was Sharknado. It was an unapologetically terrible movie that aired on Syfy to a wave of tweets making fun of and reveling in the "film" starring Ian Ziering of "Beverly Hills 90210" fame and Tara Reid of "I'm absolutely nuts" fame.
Of course, a golfer couldn't help but think, however, of Greg Norman throughout the movie. His nickname is "the Shark," after all, and when he won or was playing well, it was said there was a "Shark attack" underway. How no one thought of "Sharknado" for Norman years ago is beyond me, but the movie got us thinking of Norman's best all-time performances.
2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Seemingly on a whim, Norman entered the '08 Open at Birkdale. With then-wife Chrissy Evert alongside, Norman played his way into the lead and serious Sunday contention on a very windy links layout. Ultimately, like in the movie, the Shark was thwarted as Padraig Harrington hit the 5-wood of his life to set up a win, but it was a great performance nonetheless.
1994 Players Championship
This was the Shark at his finest. Norman tore up TPC Sawgrass and the Stadium Course to the tune of a record 24-under-par total to win by four shots over Fuzzy Zoeller, who literally waived the white flag as Norman was finishing off a big win. An opening 9-under 63 tied the course record, which he still holds with Fred Couples (1992) and, of all people, Roberto Castro (2013).
1986 Open Championship at Turnberry
Most of Norman's finest moments came in the Open Championship, the only major he won, which he did in '86 and again in 1993. In '86, however, Norman held the Saturday Slam, taking at least a piece of the 54-hole lead in all four major championships. Turnberry was the only place he cashed in, however, taking a one-stroke lead to a five-shot win.
1993 Doral-Ryder Open
Other than the Open, Norman had his best PGA Tour success at Doral in Miami, which makes sense given the proximity to water. He won there three times, including in 1993, where he posted a 23-under total to win by four shots over Paul Azinger and Mark McCumber. A third-round 62 set up a cruise of a final round.
Add Comment