golfrewind.com

It's been reported that Mark Hensby has had a full go at Greg Norman for "not putting enough back into the game in Australia and that he should be spending some of his considerable wealth at a time when the local golf tour is in dire straits"

The Shark's response -

"I think what I do for Australian golf is indicative of why I'm here now.I don't have to go out there and play golf and be in tournaments every week in this country. I do my share behind the scenes, believe me."

Apparently Hensby called him before teeing off in the 1st round of the Australian Open, but Norman was not backing off.

"No all is not fine. We are not finished with this . I have spoken to Mark Hensby and it is a conversation I am having with Mark Hensby only.
There is no point going on with it here"

Asked whether he thought he could start losing friends on Tour by constantly expressing controversial opinions, Hensby responded.

"I don't care. I don't have any friends anyway. I have a couple that are all right but everybody talks about everybody behind their back. At the end of the day you've got your family and your job and you go do it.

"You have to speak your mind. That's the problem with most players.

"(The Tour) is not all that people make it out to be. You spend a lot of time by yourself. It's definitely a lonely career and that's what people don't enjoy about it. That's why there are so many great players who don't play the game for a living.

"Do I know Greg Norman as a person? I don't know.

"I've only played with him once and I went around to his house for a barbecue once. I don't guess I'll be invited again."



What do you think?

Why is it that there are guys out there who think others have to do it for them?

What happened to taking personal responsibility?

Hensby is a rotten apple that got a big head by playing well on the PGA Tour. If he's so concerned about golf in Australia......let him go back there and play. Greg Norman doesn't owe Hensby so much as the time of day. Hensby's 15 minutes is about over.

Norman always seems to be taking flak for something or other. The guy is 50 years old. What exactly is he supposed to do to invigorate the Aussie Tour ?

i agree with leaguegolf all the way. norman is the grandaddy of australian golf. all those aussies on tour today are there b/c of him.

I have the utmost respect for Greg Norman. He has had more than his fair share of bad luck ,but has always taken it on the chin. When Faldo came back at the MAsters ,Norman took the huge disappointment like a man and faced the press. As he said,no one died.

Hensby has no case, if Australian golf can not organise itself properly, why blame the guy who has done more for Austrlian golf than anyone else.

I agree that Norman is good for Aussie golf even when he's not playing...kinda like Ben Crenshaw here in the States. Hensby's off base on this one...possibly the loneliness taking it's toll...his claims about the loneliness factor and backstabbing on tour are bound to have some merit, tho. I'm not so sure Hensby's 15 min. are up, however...I think he's still got a lot of good golf in him, meaning he hasn't won his last tourney, imo.

Shade

Trying to ruin the reputation of a golfing legend like Norman will only backfire on Hensby.

I'm sure Hensby's comments will make him a lot of new friends and that will cure his loneliness. Complaining about "back stabbing" and then contributing by sticking a knife in Norman's back kind of defeats the purpose though doesn't it?

I had to laugh at his description of the couple of friends he does have.......or thinks he has! Greg Norman is well loved here in America and I think Hensby will be reminded of that every time he tees it up over here next year. Those distractions won't help him much.

Just a thought........I wonder how his comments are being taken in Australia.

I agree with the comments made thus far, who is he to be calling Greg out about it...if Hensby has some game, then get it on with the Australian tour and quit coming over here for the $$$....

Greg is probably more responsible for the growth of tour caliber play in Australia than any other Aussie.

All the great Aussie Golfers cite him as the reason they play. Webb, Appleby, Allenby, Wait, Heatherington etc. They all love the guy.

The only other Aussie you ever hear talk him down is that guy that walked into the plane propeller and does the Aussie tour announcing??????


I had the privalege of caddying for Greg at the Canadian Open (Practice rounds) in the early eighties. (The year John Cook Won). HE IS A CLASS ACT.


brianf

Just remembered, Jack Newton.

brianf

Greg Norman paved the way for Aussie golf. Hensby is out of line

Those who can't, run they're mouths, those who can, PLAY ! ! ! !