Houston, Texas - Greg Norman is set to play at the Houston Open on a sponsorship just before playing at the Masters. The Aussie golfer is back on the running for a Masters title after tying for third at last year’s British Open. Norman debuted at the Masters 28 years ago and he returns after a seven-year hiatus.
The Houston Open will last from April 2-5, a week before the Masters, the finishing touch of a long series of serious preparation for the Masters that he started way back in December.
The two-time British Open champion stepped back from serious competition to focus more on family and business matters. Norman is involved in golf course design and real estate building. He also married tennis champion Chris Evert in June.
“I’m actually looking forward to getting back and seeing what the golf course is like,” Norman said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. He last played at the Houston Open in 1988, where he lost a play-off to Curtis Strange. The tournament has since been moved to the Redstone Gold Club from its previous venue at the Woodlands.
Other Australians have seen great results at the Houston open, among them Stuart Appleby who won in 2006 and Adam Scott in 2007.