KETTERING, Ohio - In a glittering career pockmarked by famous failures, Greg Norman hopes to finally add a U.S. Open victory to his resume - even if the word Senior is inserted in the tournament's name.

"I've always wanted to win one," he said Wednesday, referring to the two U.S. Open tournaments in which he finished second. "I came close enough that you could almost taste it. It didn't happen, so obviously the next best thing would be to win this week. I'd love to put it on my mantel.

"I think that would be a very fitting start to my 'old man's' career."

Norman lost in a playoff to Fuzzy Zoeller at the 1984 U.S. Open at Winged Foot and finished second to Corey Pavin at Shinnecock in 1995.

Now 50, Norman's blond shock of hair has taken on a different hue. A week ago at the Senior British Open a few tabloids referred to him as "The Great Gray Shark."

He takes the jibes about his age in stride - "I didn't take my shirt off in front of them, because my chest is gray!" he said with a laugh.

But at the same time, he doesn't really believe he's getting older.

"If I play more golf and feel competitive, it's going to be on the regular tour," Norman said after a practice round for Thursday's opening round of the U.S. Senior Open at NCR Country Club. "I don't see myself adjusting my schedule for senior tournament golf."

Butler's John Aubrey Sr. also is playing in the event.

Norman hasn't won a PGA Tour event since 1998. He had surgery on March 22 to relieve the back pain that had limited his quality of life - and certainly the quality of his golf - the past few years.

In his first tournament back, he played well at the British Open two weeks ago before shooting a 76 in the final round that left him tied for 60th. Last week in his seniors debut, he opened the Senior British Open with a 76. He quickly recovered and closed with rounds of 67, 70 and 68 to miss a playoff by a shot.

Despite that third-place finish, Norman still wants to be measured against Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, not Dana Quigley and Doug Tewell.

He is not planning on playing in a seniors event - other than the major championships - this year or next.

"If my competitive level in my game is solid like it's starting to show signs of, I'd much rather go out there and play the regular tour because I still hit the ball long enough," said Norman, who has won 20 PGA Tour events including two British Opens.