Athletes and laymen alike have all suffered through some sort of trauma in their past. Greg Norman, the current LIV Golf CEO too has some of his own. One such traumatic incident came when the Shark was much younger. And perhaps it is one that he would deal with the same way all over again because it came at the cost of saving his sister.
The Australian golfer got his nickname ‘The Shark’ because of his adventurous sea background. But that adventurous lifestyle didn’t always bring good memories. and this was one such memory.
Back in 2006, the 20-time PGA Tour victor published his book, The Way of the Shark: Lessons on Golf, Business, and Life. It quickly gained traction, and in October of that year, he sat down with Today to discuss it. One particular story from Norman’s book that struck a chord with everyone was one of his most mentally traumatic experiences.
When they were just children, the Shark and his older sister, Janis, had gone spearfishing, just as they had done multiple times before. Sadly, this time was slightly different. His sister was unfortunately met by an unexpected guest, a sea wasp. It is one of the most dangerous sea creatures, with tentacles 10–20 feet long and an extremely toxic sting.
Luck didn’t favor Janice that day, and she was stung by it. Fortunately, and thanks to Norman, she made a full physical recovery from the incident. But mentally, both siblings were shaken. Having witnessed his sister’s shrieks of pain first-hand had left the Shark with a mental scar. The memory is one of his most trauma-filled ones, and rightly so. After all, he could’ve lost his sister that day.
That day, while spearfishing in Nelley Bay with his sister, the two-time major winner had just pulled up to the surface when he heard her yell out in pain. When he turned around, he saw her covered in welts and knew it was the wasp. He dove back in and dragged her to the boat from which they had rowed in.
Although he was young, the ex-pro golfer mustered up the strength and single-headedly rowed them to the shore. His parents rushed her to the clinic, and she received quick medical attention. She was back on her feet soon enough, all because Norman had courageously dived in and saved her life.
Source : essentiallysports
