Saturday, July 19, 2008

Why Greg Norman Will Win Tomorrow


#1 - Nothing to Lose:
If one thing seemed to haunt The Shark throughout his prime, it was his ego. He thought he was the best, told people he was the best and strutted, rather jetted, around the tour like he was the best. When it came time to show it, he often did so...for three rounds. Now, as he heads into another Sunday in the lead, there is no pressure to live up to his self-created hype. He is a 53-year old weekend golfer on the verge of winning the British Open. He has already succeeded - no pressure at this point.

#2 - Chris Evert:
You don't think she knows what to do the night before a championship round? (Get your heads out of the gutter - that is not what I'm talking about). She has won Majors in tennis; she knows what it takes to win them. I'll bet Norman's ex-wife (who sounds like a pain in the butt from what I've read of their divorce and $100 million settlement) gave him advice like, "Don't blow it, Gregory" or "Maybe you should think about a new grip tomorrow." Evert, er Evert-Norman, is going to have him mentally ready to win.

#3 - No Tiger Woods.

#4 - Too Good of a Storyline:
First Tiger the Gimp vs. Rocco the Rock Star, now the Shark Returns? How can he not win tomorrow? The PGA must be doing back flips about what is happening. If this was the NBA, I'd bet on some lousy calls against Harrington and Choi tomorrow. Since it is the PGA, I'm going to put my faith in destiny and a 53-year old man.

#5 - This isn't a fluke: Norman is clearly playing better than anybody else on the course right now. That might seem obvious from his lead, but he was a couple of putts and chips today that could have put him up four or five further ahead. While Choi, Furyk and Duval looked flustered and frustrated in the winds at Royal Birkdale, Norman is hitting fairways and greens. Did you see his drive on #17? After an obliterated tee shot, he was inches from a short eagle putt if the ball had held on the green. He is making shots. Nobody else is.

2 comments:

Chris Carpenter said...

Damn.

Maximum Jack said...

Dear gawd, it hasn't been that slow of a week in the wide world of sports, has it?