WITH his eye on the US Open at Pebble Beach, Greg Norman reminded everyone at the Buick Classic yesterday that he was not ready to be counted out.

Norman carded his best score of the year, a four-under-par 67, and posted his best finish of the year to grab fourth place behind Dennis Paulson.

Paulson defeated fellow American David Duval on the fourth play-off hole to win the New York tournament, but the top-five finish for Norman delivered him some badly needed momentum for the second major of the year beginning on Friday (AEST).

"I was looking forward to next week irrespective of here, but this obviously helps a lot," Norman said. "I knew I was playing well but knowing you're this close and actually feeling you're this close are two different things."

Norman had not recorded a top-10 finish since his sixth place at the British Open at Carnoustie last year.

"You can tell yourself all day long, `I know I'm playing well', but when you actually see the results that you are playing well on a tough old golf course like this ... I know I've done it," Norman said. "I'm two rungs up the ladder both physically and mentally."

Norman started the day five shots off the lead but birdied four of the final five holes on the front nine. That drew a gallery keen for a Shark run but, while Norman struck the ball beautifully, he could not hole any more putts.

"I'm this close," Norman said. "It's there. All the ingredients are there."