Norman still looking for putting solution

Greg Norman is looking for any advice he can get to improve his putting as he laments another year without a coveted green jacket.

Norman, after an opening 80, battled back to finish a creditable tied 11th at the Masters, 10 strokes behind champion Vijay Singh at Augusta National.

He went into the final round nine strokes from the lead, figuring he needed a 64 to have a chance of winning, but as so often has been the case of late, the putts just wouldn't drop.

Norman came up six shots shy of his target, shooting 70 for even-par 288. He hit an impressive 14 greens in regulation, but the final hole, where he left a 2.5-metre putt short, summed up his week.

"I'm totally confused about the way I'm putting," said the Florida-based Queenslander.

"It's left me and I can't figure it out.

"I feel comfortable but they're just not going in.

"I'll take any advice I can get - 70 was probably the worst score I could have shot."

When Norman missed a 1.5-metre birdie chance at the 10th, he figured his goose was cooked, and a three-putt at the 12th showed that it was in fact overdone.

But if there was a consolation, it was that he ensured a return for next year's Masters, by which time he will be 46.

Norman finished best of the three Australians to make the cut.

Craig Parry also complained about his putting after shooting 74 to tie for 25th at four-over 292.

"It was a typical Sunday putting day at Augusta for me," said Parry, who like Norman started the day nine strokes from the lead.

"I didn't think it was out of the realms of possibility to shoot six or seven under but I just didn't putt well enough."

Steve Elkington was in no mood to talk after double-bogeying the final hole. He shot 73 to tie for 52nd at 11-over 299.