Special features

Norman handed USPGA invite

Aussie to consider options ahead of final Major

Last updated: 1st August 2008

Norman: Great honour

Also see

Greg Norman will consider whether to take up an invitation to play in the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills next month following his remarkable performance at Royal Birkdale.

The veteran Australian led the Open with nine holes to go before finishing in a tie for third place behind Padraig Harrington, and must now consider whether to have a crack at the final Major of the season.

"I already had something scheduled for that week but I will talk with my manager, Bob Collins, over dinner this evening because I don't want to hold up the PGA," the 53-year-old said on the eve of the Senior Open at Royal Troon.

"It is a great honour to be thought of in that regard but that would be four weeks in a row and I woke up a little stiff this morning.

"I have had multiple surgeries and those do start to show up when I hit a lot of golf balls and I have to be careful, although fitness has never been a problem with me.

"I was one of the first ones to adopt a strong fitness regime and I actually putted very well the whole week at Birkdale, and I think that was because of my stamina and inner core strength."

Norman is looking forward to another week in the limelight on the west coast of Scotland, where he expects to be in contention.

"My expectations are good," he added. "I like the golf course and I used the Open as a warm-up for the Senior Open, although it should probably have been the other way round."