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Norman Gets Invite

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 21, 2008

SOUTHPORT, England - Take this as either a consolation prize or more torment. Greg Norman has an offer to return to the Masters, which invites the top four players and ties from the British Open.

"Time out," Norman said Sunday, motioning with his hands. "I've got a lot of water to go over the dam to get to that."

Norman last played the Masters in 2002 when he received a special foreign exemption and tied for 36th, and there was no guarantee he would show up next April. Despite his remarkable performance at Royal Birkdale, the 53-year-old said it did not inspire him to start playing more golf.

He will be at Royal Troon this week for the Senior British Open, then the Broadmoor in Colorado for the U.S. Senior Open, and he has no plans anywhere else the rest of the year.

The coveted invitations might mean more to Ian Poulter, who finished second, and Henrik Stenson, who tied for third, although both are high enough in the top 50 that they might have gotten in anyway.

Lefty's Lament

Phil Mickelson was merely an afterthought at Royal Birkdale, a strange sensation considering he is the No. 2 player in the world and the highest-ranked player at this major.

Then again, this is the British Open, where he rarely contends.

This was no exception. Mickelson birdied two of his last four holes to close with a 71, putting him at 14 over for the week. His only success was a 68 in the second round to make the cut. He tied for 19th, one week after he tied for 38th in the Scottish Open.

"I didn't play to the level I would have liked," Mickelson said. "I thought I hit a lot of good shots, but I really struggled on the greens and consequently, my score wasn't what I would have liked."

More Amateur Glory

Chris Wood became the latest amateur to find success at Royal Birkdale, a decade after Justin Rose's spectacular chip on the 72nd hole gave him a share of fourth at the British Open.

Wood survived getting stuck in a bunker to finish in a tie for fifth, showing signs he has the potential to follow his fellow Englishman into the pro ranks.

Just not yet.

Unlike Rose, who was 17 when he had his eye-catching finish in 1998, turned pro a day later and then went 21 tournaments without making a cut, Wood isn't rushing into things.

"Not at the moment, no," the 20-year-old said after his 2-over 72 left him at 10 over for the tournament, seven behind winner Padraig Harrington. "I'm having a week off."

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