VARIOUSLY described as a former janitor and a purveyor of television "infomercials", Tony Robbins has acquired a key role in the return of Greg Norman to US Masters action this week. The self-appointed motivational expert has been helping the Shark bury the demons of 12 months ago.

Early results would appear to be most encouraging, only 24 hours after their consultation. "My wife couldn't believe how calm I was," said Norman, who was caught in a two-hour traffic jam yesterday on his way to the course, throwing his plans seriously awry. "She even said `I'm proud of you'."

All of which came as a typically direct response after I inquired if he had sought any psychological help to prepare him for a return to a scene of crushing heartbreak. "I don't know if you're aware who Tony Robbins is, but it came about because I'm a big fan of Pat Riley's," he said.

For us Philistines on the European side of the Atlantic, Riley happens to be one of the most celebrated coaches in American basketball, having guided the fortunes of the LA Lakers before moving to the Miami Heat. It seems that Riley has used Robbins to help in motivating his players.

"So I met up with Tony," added Norman. "He knows nothing about golf which means he doesn't want to get into your head and tell you how to play the game. His skill is in motivating people. At first I wasn't really looking for anything but I began to realism that everybody needs to be stimulated, from time to time."

Much has happened to Norman since the pain of last year. Among other things, there has been a burgeoning friendship with the US President - "Well, Bill is Bill." And true to his word, Normaif reckons he has seen last year's events to a conclusion, through yesterday's press conference.

"It was a good story for you guys and there's nothing wrong with that," he said. "I'm grateful for the support you've given me over the last 52 weeks, but it's now a dead issue.

"I want you to give me the chance of producing better stories in the future. If I keep thinking about the worst round of my life, the chances are I'll repeat the misery. And the fact is that I feel good about this week."

Returning to his meeting with Robbins, he went on: "He has seen Agassi (Andre) and some of the Olympic swimmers and his main message for me is that it's easy to forget the importance of self-motivation. We discussed my experience of last year and he asked me to tick off the number of ways I had of flicking on the light switch, of motivating myself.

"After making a fist, awe discovered that I could list 48 ways of doing it, whereas it appears that most other athletes have only one or two. Gradually, I regained an awareness of how good I am as a player. And it felt fine."

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, his tormentor of 12 months ago, Nick Faldo, had expressed sat is fact ion with the credit he received for a superb final round of 67. So it was intriguing to note Norman's response to the same question.

"I feel sorry for Nick," said the Shark. "I don't think he's gotten the credit he deserves. He shot a great score when he had to shoot a great score. He put the pressure on me. I don't think enough attention has been paid to him on that."

How then would Norman feel about a return meeting with Faldo next Sunday, with both of them challenging for the title once more? "I don't care who I face," he replied. "I just went to be in that position again. And I think I've got a good chance of being in that position."

In the light of last year's disaster, there is almost certainly going to be a tremendous groundswell of public support for him this week. Will that emotional outpouring create its own problems? "On the contrary," he replied. "I think it's going to be an asset. I could feel it getting out of the car this morning.

Robbins had an attendance of 20,000 at a recent lecture in Tampa, Florida. Almost double that figure will be in attendance here tomorrow, when the efficacy of his words will be subjected to a searching test. But most people will wish his newest pupil well in the exam.