The Loop
Greg Norman: 'Certain players are happy going through motions. They don't want to be the leader'
Stories of interest you might have missed...
"Most Tour pros, [Greg] Norman said, don't really want to reach the top, not down deep, not in a sport where 20th place can pay six figures. Certain players are happy just going through the motions. They don't want to be the leader, they would rather be a sheep. They enjoy grazing the field and getting fat and sassy,' he said." Normal assesses today's players in this story by John Paul Newport of the Wall Street Journal.
Ben Crenshaw, twice a winner, will make his final appearance in the Masters next month. "It's a little bittersweet, but good Lord I'm just thankful for all the time I've had there," he said in this story by Lee Pace at pinehurst.com. "I've spent well over half my life going to Augusta. It's obviously been a great part of my life. I'll continue to go each year, tearfully, and watch other people. It's time to do that. The golf course is just a little too much for me, which is fine, that's the way life goes. I'm resigned to that."
"Over the years, Ryder Cup players and captains have come in all shapes and sizes. Which is appropriate. Because so has Darren Clarke," John Huggan of the Scotsman writes in this reflection on Clarke and the Ryder Cup. "The man who will lead the Old World into battle with the New at Hazeltine next year is a relatively svelte figure these days…but the formerly burly Ulsterman was a much bigger physical presence during all of his five playing appearances in Europe's colours."
"As [International Olympic Committee President Thomas] Bach and his executive board were wrapping up a 2 1/2-day meeting in Rio, a small group of protesters gathered outside the luxury hotel at Copacabana Beach holding signs that read Thomas Bach is a nature killer' and The city is not for sale.' Stephen Wilson and Stephen Wade of the Associated Press examine those protesting on environmental concerns the Olympic golf course in Rio de Janeiro.