‘Today’s Not Going to…’: Greg Norman Once Made a Decade-Long Confession About His Dramatic Collapse at the 1996 Masters

Former Australian golfer, Greg Norman, has lived a legendary golf career. However, certain exploits, none more than being an essential part of the rebel LIV Golf Series, have put some shine off his glittering career. However, he was at the receiving end of sympathy once, during his collapse in the final round of the 1996 Masters Tournament. Norman’s collapse is widely remembered as one of the most dramatic moments in golf history, and there have been various theories proposed to explain it, including possible physical or mental distractions. However, he once revealed that he carried an injury going into the final round, a confession that had stayed hidden for decades.

Norman opens us about hidden injury which forced the ‘96 Masters meltdown

Norman, who was the world’s number one golfer at the time and considered a favorite to win, held a six-stroke lead going into the final round but struggled with his putting and shot a 78, conceding victory to Englishman Nick Faldo.

Read more: ‘Really Pathetic’: Infamous for His Acrimonious Relationship With the PGA Tour, Greg Norman Slammed the Billion Dollar Organization Over a Controversial Moment in 2013

In an appearance on Australian Story, a documentary series on ABC, Norman opened up about the pain he experienced during the final round of the Masters. “There’s more to it than people realize because I did have back issues that morning,” he said. “I tried to walk it off but I couldn’t. I told my coach, ‘Today’s not going to be easy.'”

Norman also revealed that the 1996 Masters was the only time he let a golf tournament really get to him emotionally. “I disappeared down to the beach after The Masters and lay on the beach and cried because I felt like I’d completely screwed up winning a tournament that I wanted to win,” he said. “That would be about the only time that I would have brought the emotion of a golf tournament back home.”

Did Greg Norman ever win the Masters Tournament?

Despite his struggles at the Masters, Norman contended again in 1999 but finished three strokes behind winner Jose Maria Olazabal. He played Augusta for the final time in 2009 at the age of 54 but missed the cut. Overall, he never made it to the podium to receive the Green Jacket, an accolade he had yearned for years.

Despite his disappointment at the Masters, Norman had a successful career and is widely regarded as one of the best golfers of all time. He won two major championships, the British Open in 1986 and 1993, and was known for his long drives and aggressive play. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.

Watch This Story: Greg Norman’s Disparaging Comments From the Past Could Be the Reason Tiger Woods Disdain Towards Him