Interview: Greg Norman
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“Adam’s win was great for him, great for Australia and great for Augusta. I was at home with my wife, Kiki, and my son Greg, watching it all unfold and it was thrilling stuff. When Cabrera’s putt went in on the 72nd hole, I was on my knees – Greg had to pick me up! I just couldn’t believe it. What you have to understand is that Australia was a long time waiting for a Green Jacket. At that moment, I sent a text to some friends saying ‘Surely the golfing Gods are not going to be that cruel to Australia?’
“But then, what Adam did after that was phenomenal. The way he regrouped on his way to the first play-off hole was astonishing. You could see the focus in his eyes. Steve Williams has to take a lot of credit. On the second play-off hole at the death, Steve did a great job pulling Adam off that final putt. I was saying to Greg, ‘Adam’s not reading that putt right’. You can see Steve shaking his head and disagreeing over the line. And that’s what someone with Steve’s experience can do for you. He’s seen a load of putts on that green – from that very spot. Those surfaces don’t change. Steve was doing what a consummate professional caddie should do for his man, getting him to hit it in the right spot.
“The moment Adam’s putt went in, my phone lit up with text messages – and it didn’t stop for the next 24 hours! Kiki and Greg couldn’t believe it. I was ‘live’ on the Golf Channel that night, and early the next morning they sent a helicopter to my house, and took me to the studios in Orlando to do the Morning Drive programme. Obviously I was very happy to keep talking about what we’d all just seen.
“The victory obviously changed Adam’s life; but as a person he hasn’t changed at all. I’ve known him since he was 15, when I gave him a lift on my plane. I remember him then, sitting opposite me, very quiet and unassuming, asking really good questions. He is an incredibly balanced guy. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he becomes the greatest Australian major champion of all time.”
