In Wake of Threats, Norman Given Protection
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Australian golfer Greg Norman was followed around the Huntingdale course in Melbourne by a uniformed officer during the first round of the $200,000 Australian Masters Championship Thursday.
The policeman stayed close to Norman at the request of tournament organizers in the wake of threatened demonstrations by anti-apartheid groups protesting Norman’s links with South Africa.
There were no protesters in sight, however, as Norman shot a 5-under-par 68 for a share of the first-round lead.
Tournament officials later said that they expected the anti-apartheid protest to be held Saturday.
Norman has angered Australian anti-apartheid groups by refusing to sign a document promising not to compete in events at Sun City in the nominally independent South African homeland of Bophutatswana, where he has played a number of times.
“I am a professional golfer and I will play where I chose,” Norman said last week.
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