Sports

SHARK UPSTAGED BY MIZE AGAIN

AUGUSTA — Greg Norman was wrapping up his press conference late yesterday after shooting a more than respectable 2-under par 70 in his first competitive round at the Masters since 2002. At age 54, Norman was upbeat about his performance, calling it “a good, solid round of golf.”

He was smiling from ear to ear, talking about his renewed love of the sport, the adoration he felt from the patrons as he played his round and the support he has from new bride Chris Evert.

“I played my way back into this golf tournament, which very few people can say at the age of 54,” Norman said. “It’s a feather in my cap to say the least.”

But just before he could escape the cameras and notebooks with that self-pat on the back, someone asked Norman if he had noticed Larry Mize was high on the leader board.

“I haven’t even noticed the leader board to tell you the truth,” Norman said, adding, “Good for Larry. That’s great.”

Mize was doing what he did 22 years ago, stealing Norman’s thunder. The Shark looked like he was going to be the feel-good story of the opening round of the 73rd Masters, the sentimental favorite who had returned after a seven-year absence to chase the elusive Green Jacket again. But then Mize, 50, upstaged him, shooting a 5-under par 67 to tie for fourth place entering today’s second round.

Mize and Norman aren’t just two old guys trying to keep up with their younger, stronger counterparts. They are linked in Masters history. In 1987, Mize broke Norman’s heart when the Augusta native chipped in from 140-feet on the 11th hole to win a sudden death playoff.

Mize was 28 at the time and had won just one tournament in his six years on the PGA Tour. Norman was among the best players on the planet. But it was Mize who dramatically won the Green Jacket and contributed to a legacy of Masters disasters for Norman.

Though it’s a painful memory for Norman, it’s “a good subject” for Mize, who has enjoyed all the perks from winning the Masters, including a spot in the Champions Locker Room and the annual invite to play.

Seldom does he think about how his miracle bump-and-run affected Norman, whose meltdown in 1996 when he blew a sixshot lead on Sunday and lost to Nick Faldo added to his disappointments at Augusta.

“I really don’t give that one much thought,” Mize said. “I probably have more compassion with the Faldo thing. When you’re competing it’s nothing personal.”

Mize has missed the cut in seven of his previous eight Masters, but made six birdies yesterday and drained two 15-footers for saving pars on the 17th and 18th holes for his best round here since 2000.

“I felt good with my game, and I felt good on the golf course,” Mize said. “I wanted to be a little bit more aggressive out there, and I did that.”

Neither Mize nor Norman wanted to predict their chances of repeating their sudden-death duel of 1987, choosing instead to put all their focus on today’s second round.

“We are old guys fighting as best we can,” Mize said.

No matter how things play out today or over the weekend, at least Mize can say he upstaged Norman one more time. george.willis@nypost.com