Greg Norman narrowly escaped disaster when his private jet was forced to make an emergency landing after its windscreen shattered mid-air.
Despite being replaced as CEO of LIV Golf earlier in the year, Norman has remained active, contributing to the Saudi-backed league and serving on the organising committee of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Amid prolonged and unresolved talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, Norman has expressed scepticism over the prospect of a “merger” occurring between the competing tours.
Norman’s scare occurred on Friday while travelling from Los Angeles International Airport to Palm Beach International Airport. The plane’s windscreen shattered mid-air, with the journey immediately re-routed back to LAX, with all passengers and crew members emerging unscathed after the horror ordeal.
Taking to social media to address the ordeal, Norman posted an image of the jet’s damaged windscreen and also shared a photo with several first responders who assisted upon the plane’s return.
“Inflight LAX – PBI loud pop = shattered windscreen,” Norman captioned the post. “Only the second time in 40yrs of private travel. Returned to LAX to the professionals to make sure all ok. Thanks all.”
The golfing community was quick to respond to Norman following the scare, with one Instagram user saying: “WOW, very scary! Glad everything is ok,” while another expressed relief: “Oh my goodness, thank god everyone is safe.”
A third added their concern, commenting: “Glad you and the crew are okay x.”
The incident drew comparisons to the tragic fate of Payne Stewart in 1999. One user remarked: “Holy cow…glad everyone is okay. Payne Stewart flashback.”
Another individual praised the piliots, stating: “Those pilots were absolutely amazing to get you down on the ground safely! Great job to those two pilots for reacting quickly. You’re lucky you weren’t the next Payne Stewart.”
Stewart’s tragic passing came after a T11 finish at the National Car Rental Golf Classic on October 25, 1999. Departing from Orlando, Florida en route to Dallas, Texas, for a course design consultation in Frisco, the plane he was on suffered a fatal loss of cabin pressure shortly after takeoff – leaving all on board incapacitated.
The plane glided approximately 1,500 miles over six states for nearly four hours before eventually running out of fuel. It eventually crashed on a farm in South Dakota, resulting in the death of Stewart, pilot Michael Kling, first officer Stephanie Bellegarrigue, golf course architect Bruce Borland, agent Robert Fraley, and his colleague Van Ardan.
A touching remembrance was broadcast by NBC during last year’s US Open, which well on Father’s Day, featuring a heartfelt tribute by his son Aaron. He said: “I lost my dad when I was 10 years old. It was only four months after one of the greatest days of his life, winning the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
“Today, back at Pinehurst, someone else will be celebrating at the end. But I’ll take any chance I can to celebrate my dad, and the impact he made, showing us all how a champion can win with grace and how a father can always find ways to teach.
“Just like I take every chance I can to be with my kids in those tiny moments, that have a way of meaning everything.”