Tune into Shark.com each Thursday for a recap of every victory -- from the 1976 West Lakes Classic to the 2001 Skins Game. In total, Norman has won 86 professional events around the world, including two British Open
Championships and 20 U.S. PGA Tour titles.
Norman Soaks Up Martini
By John Morgan Daily Star May 29, 1979
1979 Martini International
Venue:
The Wentworth Club
Where:
Surrey, England
Date:
May 25-28, 1979
Australia's Greg Norman soaked up the £7,000 Martini International first prize
at Wentworth yesterday.
He carded third and fourth round scores of 72 and 74 to pip Royal
Liverpool's John Morgan and Antonio Garrido, of Spain, by one stroke.
Two strokes further back South African Tienie Britz and Argentinian, Victor
Fernandez tied with Scotland's Ken Brown.
Scores soared as the rain-lashed Burma Road became more and more sodden and
the 51 challengers for the £42,000 prize money had to cram 36 holes in a day
that started at 6:45 a.m.
Brian Barnes was the first of the serious challengers to go when he arrived
late on the tee and collected a two shot penalty on top of his third round
77.
Tony Jacklin fell next when he took a 9 at the 9th hole.
Jacklin, very much in contention at level par, hooked his tee shot against a
fence, had an air shot trying to knock it back on the fairway and with his
third attempt moved the ball into an unplayable lie.
He took a penalty drop was on the fairway for five. He put his sixth in the
bunker, chipped out and two putted.
Defending champion Sevy Ballesteros sitting pretty in the clubhouse with a
4 over total of 292, looked near to retaining his title. But Norman had
other ideas.
All the pressure was on big Norman and Garrido, with fine rounds of 72 and
73 sat out the last hour in the clubhouse with his one over par 289.
Garrido birdied the last two holes - both par fives in conditions becoming
worse almost by the minute as the wind heightened.
To add to a day already overloaded with drama, Jimmy Cousins, caddy to
Manuel Pinero was hit on the head by a golf ball. He was badly concussed
and taken to the hospital.
