I teed off in my street shoes: Greg Norman recalls 1979 Fanling victory
Australia's Great White Shark earned what was then his biggest payday at the Hong Kong Open
Greg Norman had it all before him on his first trip to the Hong Kong Open back in 1979. As a 24-year-old who had already won four events on the Australian Tour, Norman had set his sights on going global and Fanling was to provide the first step.
The record now shows that, not for the only time in his illustrious career, Norman achieved what he set out to do, driving his way through the wind and rain for a three-shot win as he collected what was up until then the largest payday of his career at US$100,000.
Asked today what he remembers most about the occasion, the now 60-year-old turns his mind to what went on before the final round had even begun.
My memory was that I nearly missed my tee time. I had to tee off in my street shoes. They had a police escort because the traffic was so bad on the Sunday morning
“My memory was that I nearly missed my tee time,” Norman laughs. “I had to tee off in my street shoes. They had a police escort because the traffic was so bad on the Sunday morning. I ran to the tee, didn’t loosen up at all and just hit my first tee. Then I changed into my golf shoes.”
Norman would return for another victory in 1983 – again there was the wind and rain not uncommon when the Open was held in the early months of the year – with the tournament being decided over two days’ play.
But he says it was that breakthrough in ’79 that helped show the world he could compete on the big stage.
“I had a lot of fun,” says Norman. “It was part of my stepping stone to get into Europe and play as much as could everywhere around the world, to learn different cultures and courses, and to play on different grasses.”