The Great White Shark earned his nickname for good reason. During the early 1990s, Greg Norman dominated golf courses with an aggressive style that intimidated even the best players. He attacked pins without hesitation. He took on hazards others avoided. His confidence bordered on arrogance, but the numbers supported it.

Norman spent 331 weeks as world No. 1 during his prime. In 1993, he fired a final-round 64 at Royal St. George’s to win The Open Championship. The following year, he demolished the field at The Players Championship with a record-breaking 24-under performance. Tom Watson once called Norman’s play “the greatest round ever” after witnessing his brilliance at Turnberry.

Now, days after Norman officially cut ties with LIV Golf, his son is reminding the world of a different side of The Shark. Greg Norman Jr. took to X on October 12, sharing a heartfelt memory that offered a tender glimpse into their relationship. He reposted a video from Straight Down The Middle showing his father’s incredible precision during a major championship. The footage captured Norman carding 12 birdies in 20 holes on what many consider the most complicated course setup in history.

But Jr.’s accompanying message hit even harder than the footage. “In the early 90s, I have amazing memories of standing in a field with a bucket 150 yards out,” he wrote. “He would hit balls to me. I would barely have to move a few feet to collect each one.” The 40-year-old CEO of Europa Labs added a poignant note about perspective. “While I was young, I do remember him in his prime, but I wish I could have seen it with the perspective I have now of the game.”

The timing makes this reflection particularly meaningful. Norman Sr. announced his complete departure from LIV Golf on September 9, just over a month before his son’s post. After four years as the league’s inaugural CEO, Norman severed all ties with both LIV Golf and the Saudi Public Investment Fund. His contract expired in August 2025, months after Scott O’Neil replaced him as CEO in January.

Those early 90s practice sessions Jr. remembers came during his father’s most dominant years. The Australian legend won consistently and earned over $1.6 million in 1995 alone. The precision Jr. witnessed wasn’t accidental. Norman wanted his children present during practice sessions. He wanted them to understand the game. He wanted them to see the work behind the glory. This hands-on parenting approach was deliberate, shaped by his own upbringing and his determination to break generational patterns.

The video Jr. reposted showcased conditions that no longer exist. Fast, firm fairways with no modern irrigation systems. Square grooves that provided extra spin from the rough. Runway-like conditions that demanded precision over power. Norman thrived in that environment. His aggressive style matched perfectly with courses that punished mistakes but rewarded boldness.

Yet, the business side of golf tells a different story entirely.

Greg Norman’s LIV Golf journey

The Australian joined as CEO in October 2021, bringing decades of vision to life. The league distributed over $1 billion in prize money during his tenure. It signed major stars like Phil Mickelson for $200 million, Dustin Johnson for $125-150 million, and Jon Rahm for a staggering $550 million.

But controversy followed him throughout. His combative leadership style created rifts with PGA Tour officials. Tiger Woods famously said Norman “has to go” for any meaningful merger talks. The June 2023 framework agreement between tours sidelined him from negotiations entirely. His influence diminished rapidly after that.

The former world No. 1 described his LIV experience as “mission accomplished” in his final interview with Australian Golf Digest. “I enjoyed my time at LIV but, I’ll be honest with you, it was hard,” he admitted. “It was very draining on me. I was working 100-hour weeks.” Despite the toll, he said he’d “do it all again in a heartbeat.”

As the 70-year-old transitions to new ventures, including his role on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games board, his son’s nostalgic post offers a poignant reminder. Before the business battles and controversial headlines, there was just a father teaching his son about precision, dedication, and the beautiful game they both love.