Norman Claims Doral
Greg Norman fired a course-record 62, overcame a seven-shot deficit, forced a playoff with Paul Azinger, Mark Calcavecchia and Tim Simpson and then sank a 22-foot eagle chip on the first sudden-death hole to claim the most remarkable of his PGA Tour victories to date.
It was an absolute whirlwind final round for Norman, playing the famed Blue Monster course at Doral Golf Resort and Spa for the first time in six years. With rounds of 68, 73, 70 and that miraculous 62, Norman finished the 72-hole stroke-play event at 15-under par.
Each year, the PGA Tour spends the month of March in the Sunshine State, in what has become known as the Florida Swing. The Doral-Ryder Open is the longest continuously running event in Florida, and it was the first PGA Tour event to offer a $1 million purse. Norman earned $252,000 for this victory.
Norman shared third position with Tim Simpson after 36 holes. Azinger had the halfway lead and Calcavecchia was hot on his heels only one shot adrift.
Norman slipped to fourth after the third round, and he was virtually an afterthought as the final round commenced. However, Norman, the World No. 1, was not about to throw in the towel. Played at the fabulous Doral Golf Resort and Spa, this has always been a hot spot on the PGA Tour calendar.