1985 Australian Skins Challenge

Greg Norman won the inaugural Skins Challenge at the Jack Nicklaus redesigned Australian Club. The Challenge was played over two days with nine holes contested each day.

Norman Wins Shark's Share At Skins

Greg Norman won the inaugural Skins Challenge this weekend at the Jack Nicklaus redesigned Australian Club. The Challenge was played over two days with nine holes contested each day.

The format provided for prize money for each hole, with the money carrying over until one player won a hole outright. In addition to cash, three vehicles were on offer for a hole-in-one on the par-3 4th, 11th and 15th holes. The challenge featured Norman, Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Seve Ballesteros.

Norman won the Shark's share of the money, collecting $144,000 - $51,200 from the first nine holes and $92,800 from the second day's action. Watson was runner-up with $124,800 followed by Ballesteros with $32,000 and Nicklaus with $25,600.

The first six holes were worth $12,800 each, followed by $16,000 each for the second six and $19,200 for the last. The two additional holes were worth $19,500 each.

Norman won a total of five skins, followed by Watson with three. Ballesteros and Nicklaus each won one skin.

Three of Norman's skins on the second day, which was played in soggy Sydney conditions. He played consistently, adding birdies on the 10th and 16th holes to earn $16,000 and $57,600 respectively, and then parred the 17th to collect $19,200.

Norman's check for the two-day challenge was also gigantic in comparison to his official tournament earnings this year. "I guess I can afford to pay for dinner," said Norman after his win. "I really enjoyed it. This kind of game is a lot of fun."