“Everybody Wanted Me To Beat Greg Norman”: Major Champion Recalls His Historic Win
Player feature photoshoot Greg Norman portrait intense concentration face happy and smiling close up The Open Championship 1992 The 1992 Open Championship was held from July 16 to July 19, 1992, at Muirfield Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
Player feature photoshoot Greg Norman portrait intense concentration face happy and smiling close up The Open Championship 1992 The 1992 Open Championship was held from July 16 to July 19, 1992, at Muirfield Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
Paul Azinger entered the golden pages of history after winning the 1993 PGA Championship. It was his only major victory but that wasn't why most fans cheered. They wanted to see a win against Greg Norman.
On March 16, 2026, during a presser at the Concession Golf Club, Florida, Greg Dillard highlighted Azinger’s win at the Inverness Club, Ohio, by four birdies in the final seven holes to get a 12-under in playoff, back in 1993. But what does Azinger remember about the back nine stretch?
“Everybody wanted me to beat Greg Norman at the time except the Greg Norman fans,” the 12-time PGA Tour champion recalled. “My shoulder hurt so bad. I couldn't put my scorecard in my back pocket that week, and I was taking anti-inflammatories.”
The 122nd Open Championship 1993 Greg Norman The Open Championship 1993 Greg Norman s victory in the 1993 Open Championship at Royal St George s Golf Club in England is one of the most iconic moments in his career.Greg Norman dominated the 1993 Open Championship and clinched his second Open Championship victory, his first being in 1986.Norman entered the final round with a two-shot lead and managed to maintain his composure under pressure. He shot a final round of 69, which was enough to secure a two-shot victory over Nick Faldo, who finished in second place. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
The 122nd Open Championship 1993 Greg Norman The Open Championship 1993 Greg Norman s victory in the 1993 Open Championship at Royal St George s Golf Club in England is one of the most iconic moments in his career.Greg Norman dominated the 1993 Open Championship and clinched his second Open Championship victory, his first being in 1986.Norman entered the final round with a two-shot lead and managed to maintain his composure under pressure. He shot a final round of 69, which was enough to secure a two-shot victory over Nick Faldo, who finished in second place. Copyright: xMarkxNewcombex
Despite taking 12 anti-inflammatory tablets to ease the pain in his shoulder, he was determined to drive past Norman and Nick Faldo. After all, he was fighting in a star-studded leaderboard. Norman had just won The Open that year. Fans wanted to see someone apart from the Great White Shark to win.
Azinger said, “I remember when I missed a short putt on 11 for birdie getting this kind of jolt like, oh, my God, I might not win this because all week I felt like it was mine. Even though I wasn't ahead, I just was playing that well.”
By the final par-four 18th hole, Norman and Azinger were tied at 12-under 272. Norman shot a two-under 69. But Azinger hit a two-under 68 to win the tournament. No doubt, it was an emotional moment for Azinger.
Paul Azinger’s Words After Beating Greg Norman at the 1993 PGA Championship
Following the event, Norman opined that he has won the tournament more than anyone else in that field. But watching Azinger beat him with a close score left him “shocked.” And Azinger felt similar emotions as well.
"I think I'd acquired the label `the best player not to have won a major,’” the 1993 PGA Championship winner assessed.
"It brought tears to my eyes,” Azinger told the media 33 years ago. “It lifted a huge burden off my shoulders. There is tremendous satisfaction. I thought I was good enough to win a major championship."
The 1993 PGA Championship remains one of the standout moments of his career, not just for the result, but for the circumstances surrounding it. He experienced late momentum and physical adversity. Yet, Paul Azinger managed to beat one of the toughest competitions in that era.
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Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar