Golf:Greg Norman believes that Tiger Woods has become 'cocooned' in his own world and must open himself up if he is to have any chance of returning to the heights achieved before the sex scandal that engulfed him since the end of 2009.
Norman has also spoken out of his admiration for Steve Williams, who worked with the Australian before playing a huge role in Woods’s success over the last decade.
In an interview in November's edition of US publication Golf Magazine, Norman says: "Tiger, when he dominated, had a single-shot approach. It was only about the golf. Now there are so many distractions, and people are looking for things that are wrong with Tiger now.
“So he’s got to deal with that on a day-to-day basis, like every other mortal has to do, right? In our lives, in our business, we all have to be responsible for our actions. It’s very hard for him to have that focus. And the more he shuts people off, the worse it gets. He thinks everything's okay because his world is so cocooned.”
Woods will return to competitive golf at The Australian Open in Sydney in the second week of November, ahead of the Presidents Cup match in Melbourne against the rest of the world selection, which will be captained by Norman. Woods has been told by US captain Fred Couples that he will be awarded one of his wildcard picks.
Norman also admits that he has spoken to Williams following his split with Woods.
The New Zealander courted controversy when claiming that his first victory as caddie for Adam Scott was the best of his career, but Norman told him to hold his head high during all the scandal that enveloped Woods.
“I’ve known Stevie Williams since he was 15 years old. I know the DNA of the guy, how morally and ethically straight down the middle he is with things. I think there's more to it (the split with Woods).
“Well, just look at his body language," Norman said of Woods. “He doesn't keep his head up anymore, he’s got his eyes down, he’s trying to keep his eyes away from the camera, right?
“It’s like I said to Steve: ‘Keep your head up, walk around proud of who you are’. Tiger can still play, and I think he’ll win again. But he’s not going to do what he did before.”
