Norman makes debut as senior

0 Comments | USA TODAY, July, 2005 | by Jim Halley

Before Greg Norman can breathe new life into the Champions Tour, he might have to knock the rust off his own game. Norman, who turned 50 this year, shot 5-over-par 76 Thursday in the opening round of the Senior British Open at Royal Aberdeen in Scotland.

"I played probably five shots better than what my score suggests," Norman told reporters after his first round. "I didn't putt very well, but that is maybe to be expected, as the last thing to get back is the feeling with your putting."

This is Norman's debut on the Senior Tour. He has said he hasn't gotten over the PGA Tour's snub of his World Tour idea and not playing the Senior Tour regularly might be a form of payback.

Norman's schedule also has been limited because of a bad back, which he had surgery on...