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Friday, April 6

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- There won't be another run at a green jacket this year for Greg Norman.

 
  Norman

Norman, trying to win his first Masters title at 46, shot the worst round of his 21-year career at Augusta National. His 10-over 82 left him at 9-over 153 for the week, nowhere near the cut.

"Ugly," he said in summarizing his 74th career round at The Masters.

Norman hit his tee shot into a deep divot at No. 7 and wound up with a bogey, beginning his downfall. He also bogeyed the next four holes, and three more down the stretch to eclipse the 80 he shot in last year's opening round.

Norman bounced back from that debacle to shoot a 68, good enough to make the cut. This time, all he could do was head home.

"I drove into the middle of the fairway and it landed in an uphill divot," said Norman, recalling the hole that started his troubles. "There's not much you can do. We're playing the game of golf."

Norman was hoping to accomplish the same thing Jack Nicklaus, who won the last of his Masters titles at the age of 46.

He hit only four of 18 greens and 10 of 14 fairways and needed 30 putts. When he wasn't on the putting surface, he was in the sand, which gobbled up six of his approach shots.

"Everything was wrong," he said.

What happened to Norman on Friday was a surprise, especially after his 1-under 71 in the first round -- his 35th sub-par score at Augusta.

"I didn't sense that this was coming," he said.

Norman didn't blame his shoulder or hip, both of which have been surgically repaired over the past three years.

"I'm fine," he said.






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