Australian golfing great Greg Norman returned home on Saturday after being admitted to hospital in Florida on Christmas Day with COVID-19 symptoms.
The 65-year-old said he had tested negative for the coronavirus after playing in the exhibition PNC Championship in Orlando but began to experience fever, joint and muscle aches later in the week before being admitted to hospital.
“I’m home now after admitting myself to the ER … with symptoms very suspicious to what I have read about relating to COVID…,” Mr Norman said in an Instagram post on Saturday.
“I tested negative under the PGA Tour bubble for the tournament and another negative last Tuesday.
“On Wednesday, day four of incubation after being exposed, symptoms raised their ugly head – fever joint and muscle aches, especially in my back, and headaches.
“I still have most but on a lesser level.
“Again thank you all for your concerns love and support and please be safe stay healthy and be smart.
“And let’s put this 2020 in our rearview mirrors and look to 2021 and beyond where we can get back to life in whatever the new normal will be. God bless you all.”
Mr Norman, who lives in the United States, first revealed his diagnosis in a Friday Instagram post with accompanying photos of him in the hospital.
Earlier on Christmas Eve, Mr Norman had posted that he had symptoms but had tested negative for the virus, saying he would remain in isolation due to the symptoms.
“I feel very flu-like, I have a mild fever, I have a cough, I have aches and pains, I have a mild headache.
“Ugly place to be on Christmas Eve but I just do not want to jeopardise affecting any of my family or friends and loved ones around me.”
The 65-year-old played in the father-son PNC Championship last week in Florida with his son, Greg Norman Jr.
They finished ninth, two places behind Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie.
Mr Norman said being in self-isolation during this time has made him more reflective.
“Lets look forward to 2021 and beyond, and making this world a better, happier, more successful, happier place.
“Whatever the new normal is going to be, let’s make it the new normal. We’ve learned a lot of lessons this year, it’s been an ugly one.
“I for one, am looking forward to getting out of this quarantine, and looking forward to building whatever the great future is in 2021.”
On Thursday, the United States recorded around 194,000 new cases of the virus and an additional 2,824 deaths.
In total, 18.7 million people in the US have contracted coronavirus and the death toll stands at 330,048 people.
– Additional reporting by AAP.
