In Wake of Threats, Norman Given Protection

Australian golfer Greg Norman was followed around the Huntingdale course in Melbourne by a uniformed officer during the first round of the $200,000 Australian Masters Championship Thursday.

The policeman stayed close to Norman at the request of tournament organizers in the wake of threatened demonstrations by anti-apartheid groups protesting Norman’s links with South Africa.

There were no protesters in sight, however, as Norman shot a 5-under-par 68 for a share of the first-round lead.

Tournament officials later said that they expected the anti-apartheid protest to be held Saturday.

Norman has angered Australian anti-apartheid groups by refusing to sign a document promising not to compete in events at Sun City in the nominally independent South African homeland of Bophutatswana, where he has played a number of times.

“I am a professional golfer and I will play where I chose,” Norman said last week.