By now, most of us know the golf world has TigerMania. The fans see Tiger Woods, and you can expect roars of ‘Tiger! Tiger’ in the gallery, on the golf course, or even during practice rounds. We all remember what happened at East Lake in 2018, right? Or as we saw just last year, despite wincing and limping while preparing for the PGA Championship, you could find him by tracking the cheers of his name or spotting hundreds of fans lined up for his autograph. The point is, Woods is still one of the biggest golf attractions. Just like Greg Norman was.

No, we are not saying that, but Steve Williams, both the pros’ former caddie, said so. Williams joined Norman’s bag when he was only 19, in the 80s. But being Norman’s caddie meant understanding the fervor around the Australian. During a recent interview on Tee It Up Golf, Williams admits he learnt a lot from Norman, who in turn treated “me like a son.” Yes, that is despite Williams admitting that Norman was the “most difficult guy I’ve ever caddy for,” a sentiment he has echoed for Woods as well, thanks to his relentless need for perfection.

Nevertheless, on Norman, Williams says, “he was fantastic,” and “And look, it was great preparation, I guess, to cater for a guy like that because, you know, he was just like Tiger, you know, he had an incredible, uh, aura about him. He drew the people, and like those tournaments, you know?”

But Williams particularly points out the events in Australia, where Norman’s presence meant they would be “a sellout and he was the draw card.” Especially at the Australian Masters, an event that Norman won a record six times. Yes, Williams also called Norman a “fantastic character” and “one of the greatest players of all time.”

Williams is not wrong. Greg Norman was, and still is, huge in his native country. That was thanks to his ice-blue eyes, hawk-like nose, and white-blond hair (now silver-grey). In fact, according to Tony Roosenburg, retired golf tournament promoter, Norman was so popular in the 1980s that he literally stopped conversation when he entered a room. “I mean, his walk is impressive,” Roosenburg added.

He is not exaggerating it. At all. Norman’s popularity grew so much, especially in Australia, that people gave him the nickname Great White Shark. Veteran golf journalist Mike Ritz, who interviewed Norman several times, said, “Everybody fell in love with him. Everybody wanted to be just like him.”

On the other hand, Norman’s popularity is also credited for LIV Golf’s success in Australia, as proven by the large crowds (hundreds and thousands of fans) drawn in for LIV Golf Australia. So, yes, sure, Greg Norman is known for his LIV Golf association these days, but he has enjoyed the popularity that Woods enjoys to this day. Williams would agree, despite the bitter split between the two.

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The bitter split between Greg Norman and Steve Williams

Before teaming up with Tiger Woods, Steve Williams spent time with Greg Norman, learning the art of caddying from the Australian legend. From 1982 to 1988, they won 6 PGA Tour titles, one major, and 26 international tournaments together.

So it is no wonder Williams has often credited Norman’s mentorship for shaping his career, and their relationship went beyond professional, with Norman treating him like a son. “We spent so much time together… I was staying at his house in Florida. We were going fishing all the time. We were surfing,” and that “He didn’t become the guy I was working for. He was just a mate,” Williams said during an exclusive.

However, their friendship eventually blurred the lines of their professional dynamic. Williams admitted to “crossing the line” and giving Norman back some of the frustration he directed at him during high-pressure moments. Hence, they split. Almost a decade later, however, following Norman’s memorable meltdown at the 1996 Masters, the first person Norman turned to was Williams.

In fact, the Shark called him, invited him to Florida, to spend some time together. Years later, Williams admitted that the scene was just of “two grown men crying.” So, yes, the split might’ve seemed like a proper decision that the time, but it certainly affected Norman’s chances in the majors. Even if Williams’ partnership with Woods brought much fanfare and success to Norman’s rival’s career. The sheer irony of it!