Norman Wins New South Wales Open

Greg Norman won the 1983 New South Wales Open by the narrowest of margins. Finishing equal with David Graham on 278, the two players went head to head in the sudden-death playoff with Norman emerging victorious on the second extra hole. Bob Shearer finished third.

Norman played a handful of poor shots, yet mustered the mental resources to recover brilliantly. During the third round, he hooked his drive on the fifth hole deep into the trees. Norman had no choice but to chip out some 80 meters down the fairway. That left 240 meters to the green for his third shot. Norman took a mighty lash with a 3-wood, and the resulting shot sailed to the green and Norman found the bottom of the cup with a fantastic eight-meter putt.

Norman opened with a dismal 75 in difficult conditions - so trying in fact that only 27 players in the field of 61 managed a sub-75 round. Blustery southwest winds did not let up the entire first day. Terry Gale, who eventually finished fourth, had the best opening round with a 1-under 70.

After 36 holes, both Norman and Graham were equal on 143 with Shearer chasing one shot behind. The weather improved as the tournament progressed, and the final day was downright balmy. The victory gives Norman three for the year and two this month and follows another tight finish in the Queensland Open played at the Royal Queensland four days ago.