Shaun Norris is the underrated journeyman, and strongest SA golfer on tour

One of the true fighters among the SA professional golfers plying their trade on the world tours, Shaun Norris is experiencing something of a career revival.

Before he claimed victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in December, the 42-year-old had not won on the DP World Tour (DPWT/European Tour) in two-and-a-half years. In fact, his massive win in the Dunhill was easily the biggest of his career since turning pro in 2002.

It was also just his second win on the DPWT, and earned him a paycheque of approximately R4.7million.

Currently, Norris is well-placed at nine-under after two rounds at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on six-under and in the top-10 heading into the weekend.

While Norris is not a prolific winner, he has more than proved his ability around the globe with 13 victories across five different tours.

His steady play throughout his career saw him play in 10 majors between 2017 and 2022.

Norris also happens to be the fourth-ranked SA golfer at the moment, at 109th in the world rankings.

Away from the course, based on his physique it would be natural to assume that Norris spends a lot of time in the gym.

That theory would be wrong though. Despite having some of the biggest biceps on tour, Norris says he doesn’t really hit the weights and the only exercise he does besides walking courses, is ‘a bit of stretching here and there’.

How does he explain his strong, chiseled build? Genetics and doing gymnastics during his childhood.

Perhaps that’s why he’s enjoying a rich vein of form fairly late in his career, and all signs seem to suggest that he’s not even close to his twilight years as a pro golfer.

@Golfhackno1

IOL Sport