Golf: Norman takes on Open after surgery

Greg Norman has 'zero expectations', he's just glad to be back. Picture / Reuters

ST ANDREWS - Greg Norman tees off in his 25th British Open tonight about 12 weeks after major back surgery and only one week away from his debut on the Seniors tour.

After his two-hour surgery, Norman's first aim was to wriggle his toes, now the Australian feels he's ready to play golf.

But the dual Open winner says he has "zero expectations" at St Andrews.

"Considering it's 12 weeks since I had surgery, I'm just glad I can be here," Norman said.

" ... I've rehabed well, I feel great, not 100 per cent, but I feel great."

Norman, 50, has only been back on the course for the past 10 days, although he has been restricted to a few hours a day.

He said the surgery to correct nerve damage in his back was a lengthy procedure but essential.

"It got rid of the sharp pain down my leg and I can stand up and walk and I can get out of bed in the morning," he said.

"If I don't hit another golf shot, I've done the right thing.

"I've had it since 1995, but the last six years has been pretty bad.

"I was under the knife for over two hours, so it's not like a given deal. When I came out of the operating theatre, all I wanted to do was wriggle the toes on my right leg.

"Now I feel like I can play."

But at the age of 50 when perhaps he should be slowing down following surgery, Norman is embarking on the busiest schedule of his life.

After this week, he turns out with the Oldies for the first time when he plays the Seniors British Open at Royal Aberdeen, followed by the Seniors US Open.

"I've never played six out of seven weeks in my life," he said.

"We've got to play six weeks out of seven now - I'm playing five in a row right now so it's going to be an interesting test of my back."

Norman tees off with Tony Jacklin and Paul Casey.

- AAP