He still cuts an imposing figure, tall and lean with his trademark straw hat perfectly perched atop his blond head. But, these days, with no tour card and invitations drying up, the Great White Shark is having to broaden his horizons back to Europe, where he kick-started his glorious career. And the European Open at the K Club in July is one event he has pencilled into his diary.

Yesterday, Greg Norman played in what could conceivably be his last US Masters. In his 22nd appearance at Augusta National, he trudged up the soft 18th fairway to a tremendous standing reception from those gathered at ringside, a tribute to a player who should have won at least one green jacket but who now seems set to have that void in his curriculum vitae forever more.

Norman had seven top-five finishes in the Masters, and only played this week after the club extended him a special invitation. The Aussie admitted to a touch of nostalgia as he finished with a 75 for six-over-par 294, and was philosophical about his prospects of getting another invitation back next year.

"What about the future (in the Masters), Greg, what you going to do?"

The man without any route back unless he gets a written invitation smiled the smile that has captivated golf for two decades and quipped: "Not being a prophet, I can't answer that question. I shall keep playing and if I get in, I get in."

Of his general golfing career, though, Norman knows that he will have to return to his global ways if he is to get regular tournament play. His outlets in the US have all but dried up, although he will play in this week's tournament at Hilton Head.

"I can't play over here," he said. "I have done exhausted all my possibilities over here, outside of the major championships, and if I want to play I am going to have to go over to Europe."

One of those tournaments that Norman has chosen to play in is the European Open. Although the Murphy's Irish Open is due to take place at Fota Island the week before, Norman doesn't believe that will figure on his itinerary.

"Unfortunately, I can't get over that early - but, hopefully, I will be playing in the European Open and, then, we will see what happens."

He also plans to open the new links course at Doonbeg in Clare which he has designed while in Ireland for the European Open week.

It was his putting woes that really got to him this week, even though he showed it can work when he rolled in a nine-footer for eagle on the 15th where he hit a five-wood approach of 248 yards.

"I almost felt like throwing the putter into the water (after holing) because that was all it had in it.

"It is the worse I have ever putted in my entire career these past four days," he lamented.