GREG NORMAN won the £150,000 Ford Open championship in Adelaide yesterday, hitting back at criticism of the organisers' decision to pay him appearance money.

The world number one, watched by a gallery of 23,000, shot a three under par round of 69 to finish one stroke ahead of Frenchman Jean Louis Guepy, who carded a final round 71.

Norman overtook the overnight leaders with birdies at the first two holes and finished the tournament with a four under par total of 284.

The victory gave the Great White Shark, who celebrated his 41st birthday yesterday, a remarkable record in tournaments in Adelaide over three decades.

Norman launched his professional career with victory in the West Lakes Classic back in 1976 and also won the South Australia ii Open in 1986.

His latest victory came despite being nine shots off the pace after 36 holes of the par 72 Kooyonga Golf Club course.