KEY POINTS:
Greg Norman has all but confirmed that he'll resume his love-hate relationship with the Masters in April.
The Shark qualified to return to Augusta National, the scene of his greatest sporting heartache, when he turned back the clock to finish tied third at the British Open two weeks
ago.
The 53-year-old declined then to commit to the Masters and another tilt at the green jacket that has so cruelly eluded him since placing fourth on debut 27 years ago.
But Norman was more forthcoming yesterday, indicating that he'll be back at the Masters next year for the first time since 2002.
"I feel great that I've played my way into Augusta," said Norman at this week's US Senior Open in Colorado Springs. "So I can look forward to that come April, play myself into [shape]."
Augusta National has been the scene of some of the best and worst moments of Norman's career.
In 22 Masters appearances, he has been runner-up three times and placed in the top 10 on nine occasions.
But he will forever be remembered for his infamous final-round meltdown in 1996 when he blew a six-stroke lead to finish second behind his long-time nemesis Nick Faldo.
Two days ago, Norman turned down an invitation to the year's final major, the US PGA Championship next week. It would have meant playing four weeks in a row after playing the British Open, British Senior Open, where he tied fifth and US Senior Open and he opted to stick to previous commitments. He said turning down the PGA was one of the toughest decisions he's made.
Norman is among the favourites for the US Senior Open where he was playing alongside Americans Curtis Strange and Fuzzy Zoeller in the first round as the field tackled the East Course, the longest in US Senior Open history, a 6633m par-70 layout.
His game is a good fit for The Broadmoor with its 1828m of elevation, notoriously tricky greens and long layout.
"He hits the ball very high, so he does have a big advantage doing that," Tom Watson said. "The higher you hit the ball in altitude here, the better because that ball just keeps on carrying and carrying and carrying."
Norman said one thing he's realised this month is his competitive nature remains as strong as ever.
' Indeed, Norman could well have arrived this week as the oldest major winner in history, with Open champion Padraig Harrington revealing he was "worried" that fate would guide the Shark to victory at Troon.
"With Greg, I was worried about it being his story that week," said Harrington, who eventually overhauled Norman with two birdies and an eagle on the back nine.
"Majors haven't been that kind to Greg over the years and I thought fate was going to throw him one at this stage. Unfortunately, I didn't want it to be on my watch."
- AAP