Greg Norman reacts on the 18th hole after missing the cut to continue on day two of the Johnnie Walk (AFP)
Greg Norman insists his history of Masters heartbreak will not overshadow his emotional return to Augusta next month after a seven-year absence.
The 54-year-old Australian, three-times a runner-up, qualified for the Masters by finishing a sensational third place at the British Open last year, but he admitted the changes in his time away from the course left him stunned.
"I can tell you the golf course is 7,700 yards since I last played it, and that's adding about 420 yards. I was absolutely shocked to tell you the truth," said Norman in a media conference call.
"There's phenomenal changes, right from the very first hole. The tee now is back where the old putting green was when I last played there."
Norman was runner-up at Augusta in 1986, 1987 and, probably most famously, in 1996 when he surrendered a six-stroke lead in the final round and lost the tournament to Nick Faldo by five shots.
But the Australian isn't scarred by his relationship with the Masters and added that he was desperate to show his wife, former tennis star Chris Evert, the place which caused him so much trouble.
"Chrissie has never seen the Masters. So to get her there and to see what I think is the greatest golf championship and my favourite golf tournament of all time was another factor," said Norman who'll be playing his 23rd Masters.
"I love the tradition and the heritage of Augusta. I grew up on the golf course, and my length was really a huge advantage for me in the early 80s.
"So that's why every time I go back there, I put away all of the negative stuff, because I love all of the positive stuff. It's such an easy thing for me."
© 2009 AFP/sid
