Countdown to the Masters 2011 – Day 24: Greg Norman shoots 63
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Welcome to Day 24 of the Today’s Golfer Countdown to The Masters 2011. Every day from February 17th until the big day when the season’s first Major tees off, April 7th, we will be bringing you some of our favourite memorable moments from The Masters since the tournament started in 1934.
Most people remember Greg Norman’s 1996 Masters for the final round collapse that allowed Nick Faldo to win his third Green Jacket, but it mustn’t be forgotten that the Australian started the week with an Augusta National course record of 63.
The Great White Shark was on fire as he poured in birdie putt after birdie putt from nine to 15 feet, including the last three holes of the front nine, and came home in just 30 blows on the back nine for his nine-under-par total.
“I just let it flow,” he said. “When you get into the type of roll that I got today, hey, let it happen. Let the reins of the horse go and let him run as fast as he wants to run.”
The scoring was good – Phil Mickelson had already shot a 65 and 41 players in the field of 92 shot par or better, with 10 rounds in the 60s – but it was still ranks with the greatest rounds ever played.
“It’s probably the best golf I’ve played outside of a 63 I shot at Turnberry (1986) in the British Open,” said Norman. “I wound up winning the title, so that’s probably my best round. But this is right up there.”
It was the 18th round of 63 in a Major championship, but only the fourth time anyone had done it on a par-72 golf course. Nick Price had also shot a 63 in the 1986 Masters.
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