Matt Dunham / AP

Greg Norman shot a 7-over 77 on Sunday in the final round of the British Open to finish tied for third place.

“In this game you have to take your chances when you get them. But it would have been a fantastic story. Greg has been a great champion through the game, and, you know, another win at this time in his career would have been the icing on the cake.”

Norman’s showing this week didn’t erase all those past hurts, the half-dozen majors he had in his grasp beginning the final day and let slip by playing recklessly. And in a nice twist of fate, his tie for third here earned an automatic invitation back to the Masters, the scene of his most spectacular collapse a dozen years ago.

“Yeah, somebody just told me that.” Norman said.

Then he paused, stifled a laugh and put his hands together in a “T.”

“Timeout,” he chuckled. “OK? I’ve got a lot of water to go over the dam to get to that. But I’ve got to play next week (in the Senior British Open at Troon) and I’ve got a lot to look forward to.

“Hopefully,” he added, “Troon plays a little friendlier than this one.”

No doubt.

Norman walked away from the 18th green just as Harrington began celebrating. Evert was waiting for him, and the two walked arm-in-arm toward the scoring trailer. She turned back when they reached the door, then turned and smiled when a reporter asked whether Norman’s showing surprised even him.

“The whole week?” Evert asked and then stopped.

“Yeah,” she said finally. “He was surprised.”