Shark Can't Cash-In On Brilliant Ball-Striking Display

SYDNEY, Australia - Five-time Stonehaven Cup winner Greg Norman has played down his chances of a famous final-round charge at the Australian Open, admitting he's struggling to adjust to the greens at The Lakes.

Norman hit every fairway as well as 15-of-18 greens on Saturday.

Norman carded a respectable two-under 70 on Saturday to sit at three under for the championship in just his third event since returning from shoulder surgery.

He trails tournament leader Geoff Ogilvy by an imposing 13 strokes with 18 holes remaining.

Playing in front of a typically large gallery after teeing off early on 'moving day', Norman, made the turn in two-under 33 and looked set to make a significant move before a costly double bogey at the par-four 12th derailed his charge.

It was a brilliant display of ball striking from the 55-year-old who hit every fairway as well as 15-of-18 greens in the calm conditions.

But he failed to cash-in with the flat stick to finish with an uncharacteristically high 31 putts.

"I can't get the right line or the speed with them," said Norman.

While Norman says he still enjoys the heat of the battle, he confirmed he'll hardly hit a ball in anger over the next six months as he focuses on his golf course design business.

Asked how many rounds he's likely to play over the next six months, Norman, who will contest his own Shark Shootout tournament next week before taking an extended break, replied: "Maybe two a month, one a month, something like that. I mean unless there's a real reason to go out there."

"I mean I'll go out there and hit balls in my back yard and just chip and putt a little bit when I get the urge and I enjoy doing that at home quite honestly, it's peaceful and you can mess around."

"I could be walking around out there and not care, but I do still care. I just don't want to put the time in at the driving range. It hurts the body too much."

The two-time British Open winner plans to return to the scene of his 1993 triumph when the Open Championship returns to Royal St George's in July.

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