2 Days Later, Norman Disqualifies Himself

Greg Norman disqualified himself from one of Australia’s richest golf tournaments today, saying he accidentally had breached a rule during Thursday’s first round of the $625,000 Daikyo Palm Meadows Cup.

Norman shot a course-record 63 Friday to take a one-shot lead after two rounds, but said Saturday he could not continue.

He stunned tournament organizers when he arrived at the course, saying he felt he had breached Royal and Ancient rules by taking illegal relief on the 10th hole on Thursday, when he shot an opening-round 66.

After explaining the circumstances, he was told he did indeed break a rule.

“I had no intention of deliberately cheating,” Norman said. “I couldn’t go out and have my peers say I cheated.”

Norman also said he believed the course-record 63 he shot Friday should be discounted because it happened after the incident.

Norman hit into the water on the 10th fairway and believed he was entitled to take total relief from what he thought was a lateral water hazard.

“I dropped the ball, but it rolled back towards the water and I had to stand in the hazard to play the shot,” he said. “I dropped it again and then placed it believing I had the right to get total relief.”