Norman pays tribute to his mentor

Greg Norman paid special tribute to his mentor Charlie Earp after being inducted as the 27th official legend of Australian sport.

Norman, 55, worked as a trainee under Earp at Royal Queensland golf club in the early 1970s before embarking on a stellar career that included 87 professional victories, 331 weeks atop the world rankings, two British Opens and countless near-misses in the majors.

"Charlie taught me more than about the game of golf itself," Norman said during his induction speech at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) on Thursday night.

"He said to me that when you go overseas to play the game of golf, no matter what you do in the sport, you're always going to carry the Australian flag with you.

"So never forget it.

"That's one of the things that I've always done - I've always remembered that your home country is back there watching you and you're a bit of a role model, whether you like it or not.

"So you have to perform for your country, not just for yourself."

Norman had 29 top-10 finishes in majors and is just as well known for the tournaments he didn't win, as those he did.

"I left a lot on the table, no question," he acknowledged last night.

"But it's not what you leave, it's what you try to achieve.

"I wanted to improve myself each time I played."

Norman was accompanied at the SAHOF function by his new partner, former tennis great Chris Evert, his children Gregory junior and Morgan-Leigh, his parents and Earp.

"Tonight means so much," he said after joining the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Dawn Fraser and Herb Elliott as official legends of Australian sport.

"I don't live in Australia, I live in the United States.

"But to come back and see the public and see everybody reach out to me is very, very special.

"The public in this country have just been tremendous.

"I have never seen a sporting nation like this nation, I've never seen a sporting city like Melbourne.

"To all the public, I want to thank you for your perseverance and your support over the years."

The only other golfer to have earned legend status from the SAHOF is five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson.

Despite turning 50 two years ago, Norman has no intention of playing regularly on the US senior tour.

He is more interested in playing a hands-on role with a burgeoning business empire.

Norman is also keen to play more tennis, a sport he has only taken up recently.

And he's got a million reasons for getting better at it.

"I've made a bet with Chris (Evert)," he said.

"I've bet her a million dollars I will beat her within a year."