Take this as either a consolation prize or more torment: Greg Norman has an offer to return to the Masters, which invites the top four players and ties from the British Open.
Norman finished tied for third at 9-over 289 after shooting a 77 on Sunday.
“Time out,” Norman said Sunday, motioning with his hands. “I’ve got a lot of water to go over the dam to get to that.”
Norman, 53, said there is no guarantee he would show up next April. Despite his remarkable performance at Royal Birkdale, he said it did not inspire him to start playing more golf.
Norman last played the Masters in 2002, when he received a special foreign exemption and tied for 36th.
Top amateur
Chris Wood became the latest amateur to find success at Royal Birkdale, a decade after fellow Englishman Justin Rose tied for fourth at the British Open.
Wood, 20, survived getting stuck in a bunker and finished in a tie for fifth at 10-over 290 Sunday, showing signs he has the potential to follow Rose into the pro ranks.
Just not yet.
Unlike Rose, who turned pro a day after his eye-catching performance in 1998, Wood isn’t rushing into things.
“Not at the moment, no,” Rose said after his 2-over 72. “I’m having a week off.”
Sorry, Sergio
Sergio Garcia thought this might be his best chance to win a major considering that he lost in a playoff last year at Carnoustie and played in the final group the year before.
Instead, he shot a 44 on the back nine and finished with a 78. That left him tied for 51st at 17-over 297.
“Whatever chances I had today, I threw them away on the back nine,” Garcia said. “I just went brain dead.”
Ryder update
Steve Stricker made the most out of narrowly making the cut at the British Open.
Stricker, who was 11th in the Ryder Cup standings, shot 71-73 on the weekend and tied for seventh at 12-over 292. That was worth 387 points and moved him up to No. 9. The top nine after the PGA Championship in two weeks qualify for the team because Tiger Woods is not playing.
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