Australian golfing legend Greg Norman is bracing himself for a bout of nerves as he prepares for a rare appearance on the professional tour at this week's BMW Asian Open. The 53-year-old has not played at elite level since the South African Open in December, and said here Tuesday that an inevitable consequence of being a part-time pro was feeling a little shaky while standing over the ball. “I probably get more nervous now as I don't play that much anymore,” the former world number one and two-time Major winner told reporters before heading out for a practice round at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club. “When you don't play that much, things are not that routine anymore. You have to think about it and control yourself differently.” But Norman, who brought fiancee and former tennis champion Chris Evert with him to China, insisted that nerves were a good thing. “If you don't get nervous, then you don't really care. In my heyday, I always enjoyed being nervous as I played better. I didn't play very well when I was flat.” Norman is playing at the $2.3-million BMW Asian Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours, on a special invitation. Although his best playing days are behind him, the “Great White Shark” is still a huge drawcard and is being heavily promoted in Shanghai this week alongside the current crop of stars. World number 13 Henrik Stenson from Sweden is the top ranked player this week, with Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and Britain's David Howell among the other top Europeans to have journeyed to China. Reigning champion Raphael Jacquelin is back to defend his title, while Retief Goosen of South Africa and New Zealand's Michael Campbell join Norman as Major winners in Shanghai. Last year's Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wenchong of China is also hoping to win in front of his home fans. Eight of the Asian Tour's current top 10 are in Shanghai. Norman said his decision to play in China was a mixture of business and pleasure, while also wanting to promote the sport as it goes through an exciting phase of growth in Asia. His business interests range from golf course design to selling turf, real estate and clothing, and he said Asia offered many opportunities. “From my perspective, it's good to do business here. Playing the game of golf is part of doing business,” he said. Norman flew to Shanghai from Korea on his private jet on Tuesday after a business trip there. “I've seen Korea growing at 20 percent in the game of golf and the Middle East, Dubai, is growing at 18 percent. China is the same way,” he enthused. Nevertheless, playing the sport is still a passion for the muscular Aussie, and he intends to tee up at a select few other professional tournaments this year, the most important of which will be the British Open. __
