Norman: two successive 70s
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Greg Norman insists there will be less pressure on him than anyone else when the weekend gets under way at the Open Championship.
The 53-year-old two-time former champion shot a magnificent 70 on Friday to claim the outright lead at Royal Birkdale.
That second straight level par round put him in contention to become the oldest Open champion by an incredible seven years. Old Tom Morris currently holds that distinction, winning aged 46 at Prestwick in 1867.
He would also become the oldest major champion by a distance. The current record is held by Julius Boros, who was 48 when he won the US PGA in 1968.
"My expectations were almost nil coming in, to tell you the truth, and they are still realistically low," said the Australian. "And I have to be that way because I can't sit here and say: 'Okay, it's great, I'm playing well and I'm doing it'. I am playing well and I am doing it but I haven't been there for a long time."
"There will be more pressure tomorrow and Sunday. But there's probably less pressure on me than on anybody out there because although I'm in the position I am, I'm going to go out there and say: 'Hey, just go and have fun with it'.
"I've been here before. Hopefully I can play one shot at a time and go with it, just relax and enjoy every step of the way, which is a little different philosophy."
Relaxed
Norman plans to try and stay relaxed whatever happens over what promises to be a thrilling weekend on the Lancashire coast.
"I've got to stop trying to get caught up in the moment of it all and just keep myself very subdued and very relaxed and go with it," he added.
"I've just got to take it in my stride knowing I've got myself in a position where I have to really be a little bit more careful on things and a little bit more relaxed on things. I know I've got to make a big effort to do that.
"If I get into position come Sunday afternoon then I'll probably start thinking about winning a little bit more. Hopefully I'll be able to pull off the shots and be able to do that."
Norman has won 78 tournaments in 13 countries worldwide, including two Opens, at Turnberry in 1986, and Sandwich seven years later.
