Sunday's galleries were massive. Imagine if they held one of these in the summer? With each hole completed, the crowds multiplied around the marquee pair. Aussie flags abounded, on horizontal hold from the wind. Norman dropped three shots the first three holes, but with a par at No. 9, he regained a lead. On to the homestretch, and perhaps history for once the world's No. 1, who ranked 646th at week's start. But Norman bogeyed the 10th, his birdie attempt rimmed the cup at the 11th, and the ball did a horseshoe-and-out for bogey at the 12th. Then, up the hill to the 13th tee.
"Didn't have a lot of luck," said Norman. "But 77 is 77. The components of my game are there. Hopefully, at least I showed youngsters if you take care of yourself, you can play this game for a long time." During a greenside interview, Norman heard Harrington salute him at the award ceremony. The Shark smiled. His shoulders were taut again, and soulmate Chrissie waited to go to dinner. The golf vacation at Royal Birkdale was done, but their honeymoon would continue.
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