GREG NORMAN’S career was all about him.
When he debuts as captain of the International team in the Presidents Cup against the US later this year, he admits the greatest challenge will be focusing on everyone else. Norman will have to massage a variety of personalities and egos on his team of multimillionaires. “America seems like it has dominated the Presidents Cup,” he said. “This year, it’s going to be a different. “It will be a different result. The countries that I grew up with, and the respective countries of the International team, we’re full of team sports, whether it’s cricket or soccer or rugby, we are team sport nations. It’s important for us to feel that. There’s no better feeling being in a locker room with a bunch of great guys. “To share their thoughts and feelings as a team was important to me as a player. I sense it’s an even greater magnitude now that you are the captain.” “It’s going to be tough because you know how to play,” he said. “You’re going to be in situations where I might have dealt with something differently – but you have to trust the player. “I’m sure those thoughts are going to go through my mind, but you have to give them their free rein. Their responsibility is to go out there and play the best they can. So you have to sit back and swallow a little bit [of pride] and just be quiet.
“So my learning curve is a lot harder and a lot more intense.”