Greg Norman has matched it with the world’s best over three decades, but his domination is perhaps best revealed by this statistic: From 1986 to 1997 he finished the year ranked No 1 seven times and was runner up three times. Few athletes have demonstrated such mastery of their sport over such a prolonged period.

His narrow, heartbreaking defeats in the Masters at Augusta and the US Open are the stuff of legend, but alongside that there are 20 PGA tour victories achieved with his trademark aggressive play, two British Open victories and scores more victories in Europe, Asia and Australia. In Australia he recorded 33 tournament wins including the Masters six times and the Open five. In PGA tournaments he finished in the top 10 an astonishing 128 times.

Greg Norman on a golf course, with his steely gaze, his shock of blonde hair and Aussie hat has always been pure theatre – he is arguably the world’s most instantly recognisable Aussie – but his achievements off the course have also been remarkable.

He has made his mark in golf course design, in golf equipment, and in a range of business adventures. He is a skilled and passionate fisherman and a knowledgeable wine connoisseur. He is also known, within the golfing fraternity, for his consideration of those less fortunate, particularly young people with serious illnesses

He is a true Legend.