Masters 1999: Look ahead: Norman sets himself up

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Saturday, Apr. 10 6:04pm ET
Look ahead: Norman sets himself up
By John Marvel
ESPN Golf Online
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Why does he do this to himself?

Colin Montgomerie
Colin Montgomerie will keep a close eye on the leaderboard on Sunday.
Greg Norman stood on the practice green with his son Gregory late Saturday night having a little putting contest. He was trying for a little family time, but the large crowd surrounding the area was making it difficult to have a father/son moment.
Going into Sunday's final round at the 63rd Masters, the spotlight is again on Norman. He is in the final pairing for the third time, one shot behind leader and playing partner Jose Maria Olazabal. The Shark's three-round total of 6-under 210 puts him in serious contention for the green jacket that has teased him for so long.
But while some may feel this is Norman's destiny, others know that this particular Masters is likely to have more than a few storylines at the top before it's all over Sunday night. And nothing will matter before the back nine begins for a leaderboard where everyone within six shots seemingly has a chance to win.
"If I'm in the tournament, it starts there (Sunday)," Ernie Els said pointing to the 10th tee. "If I'm at 4- or 5-under, you have a chance. Look at what Steve Pate did (seven consecutive birdies on Saturday)."
Others also like their position, although maybe no one more than Nick Price.
"I'm in great shape," said Price, who is 3-under. "My game is better than it has every been, even better than '93 and '94 (when he won three majors). If I can do something early (Sunday), I've got a chance."
Although nerves are an issue, the biggest problem for the leaders is the lateness of the tee times. Everyone at 2-under or better goes off after 1:50 p.m. ET, with Olazabal and Norman scheduled to hit the first tee at 3 p.m.
"I'll take the same approach as I did today," Norman said. "I'll look forward to getting to the first tee. I've got to keep my composure the same way, keep my focus the same way. I'll have the same number of beers tonight, have a nice steak. My approach is going to be the same.
"The hard part is sitting around for seven or eight hours in the morning until you tee off. So you just burn the time away and get ready to go. So my philosophy going to the first tee (Sunday) will be the same as the last three times."
But will the end result be the same as the past times Norman has had a chance to win? Or is it finally his turn to win The Masters? Stay tuned, but not until the back nine.
Pairings to watch
Price and Scott McCarron, 2:10 p.m. ET: Just far enough back to post a low number and watch the others shoot at it.
Steve Elkington and Colin Montgomerie, 2:20 p.m. ET: Elkington is playing well, but his allergies have swollen his face up like helium in a balloon. So the Georgia pollen has effectively eliminated him from the hunt.
Olazabal and Norman, 3 p.m. ET: Train wrecks are never easy to watch, but no one ever looks away.
No pressure
Montgomerie has never won a major championship, although he has certainly been among the pre-tournament favorites in a ton of them during the past several years. He is in position again at 3-under 213, four shots out of the lead.
But while the idea is to remain calm and most players are trying to keep loose, Monty is putting the weight on the world on himself.
"This is a very important round in my career," he said. "I wanted to be in this position ... I think you've got to watch the scoreboard and then be sensible. You have to get off to a decent start and play the thing sensibly. Sometimes going for it isn't the best option."
Way to go, Monty. That final-round 77 won't come as too big a surprise.
Can Mark O'Meara defend?
Anything is possible, but realistically he has no chance. Although he's only six shots back at 1-under, he would have to throw a 64 on the board and hope no one behind him posts a decent score.
"I needed to be 3- or 4-under to have a shot," O'Meara said. "But I'm proud of how I defended."
Who will still be the BPNTWAM
With 18 holes remaining, the BPNTWAM (Best Player Never To Win A Major) will still be Phil Mickelson.
Although Mickelson is only five shots back, he has shown nothing to indicate during rounds of 74-69-71 that he can do what's needed to post a 65, which is what it would probably take from his position.