Greg Norman is released from hospital after testing negative to coronavirus despite suffering 'fever, joint and muscle aches' since being exposed a week ago
Australian golfing legend Greg Norman has returned home from hospital after testing negative to coronavirus.
The 65-year-old, who lives in the US, spent Christmas Day in hospital fearing he had caught the deadly virus, sharing photos of his stay to social media.
But The Shark has since tested negative and was released from hospital to self-isolate in his guesthouse with his beloved pet dog.
Australian golfing legend Greg Norman (pictured with his dog Apollo) has returned home from hospital after contracting coronavirus
Australian golf legend Greg Norman (pictured in hospital) has been diagnosed with coronavirus
'They released me to continue quarantining at home on medication in our guest house away from the main house. I do not have my PCR Covid test results as yet,' Norman said in a heartfelt message on Instagram.
'Until I get two consecutive negative tests I will continue to isolate with my dog Apollo keeping me company.'
Norman reportedly contracted the virus, accounting for his symptoms and hospitalisation, but his negative test throws that diagnosis into doubt at least until his follow-up test.
Not even a week earlier, Norman was competing in the PNC Championship tournament in Orlando, Florida.
Norman and his son Greg Norman Jr. finished ninth in the father-son tournament, but soon after he returned he started to get 'suspicious' symptoms.
'When I returned from a golf tournament last week I self-quarantined Sunday night to where I am today.
'I tested negative under the PGA Tour bubble for the tournament and again another negative test last Tuesday.'
The 65-year-old, who lives in the United States, spent Christmas Day in hospital after catching the deadly virus, sharing photos of his stay to social media
When his symptoms worsened, he decided that at his age he should admit himself to hospital to be sure about whether he had the virus.
'On Wednesday day four of incubation after being exposed, symptoms raised there ugly head - fever joint and muscle aches especially in my back and headaches.'
'These are what made me admit myself on Christmas Day as I wanted to know my status to CoVid for the health and safety for all around me.
'I had a chest X-Ray and blood test where 2 markers showed up leading the Doc to say, assume you are positive with these symptoms and markers.'
When he tested negative, doctors were happy to let him return home and stay in the guest house away from everyone else while awaiting his second test result.
He shared a photo of a health worker dressed in personal protective equipment standing outside the door of his room
Norman described quarantine as an 'ugly place to be' on Christmas Eve but the Australian sporting icon said he had to keep his family safe.
'I just do not want to jeopardise my family, friends or loved ones around me,' he said.
During his stay in hospital, Norman posted an expletive-laden rant about the crippling virus.
'This sums it all up. My Christmas Day. On behalf of millions, f**k Covid,' Norman captioned a photo of himself dressed in a grey sweatshirt and a black mask.
'Get this s**t behind us never to experience it again.'
He shared another photo of a health worker dressed in personal protective equipment standing outside the door of his room.
Norman Jr and his partner Michelle were also forced into isolation for Christmas after testing positive to coronavirus.
Pictured: Norman plays his shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando on December 20, 2020 in Orlando
Norman Jr. and his partner Michelle were also forced into isolation for Christmas after testing positive to coronavirus. 'Michelle and I unfortunately are wrapping up the year with a positive diagnosis of Covid. YA. No Xmas with the family,' he wrote on Instagram with this picture
'Michelle and I unfortunately are wrapping up the year with a positive diagnosis of Covid. YA. No Xmas with the family,' he wrote on Instagram.
Norman Jr said Michelle suffered four days of fever, body aches, migraine headaches, while he only experienced a slight headache.
'Such a strange virus, I barely felt a thing and Michelle got hit hard by it,' he wrote.
'Michelle is incredibly healthy and extremely fit.
'We both feel we went above and beyond on protocols to avoid the virus. Stay healthy everyone.'
Norman Jr. is pictured with his partner Michelle. The pair have also tested positive to Covid-19
This picture of the sportsman walking on the beach went viral, with the shape of his manhood clearly visible beneath the folds of his boardshorts
Norman is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, having spent 333 weeks as the world's No. 1 position in the the 1980s.
Since stepping away from professional golf Norman has built a reputation as a top tier course designer - a job that has earned him millions.
He also spends his days exploring the world and maintaining a strict exercise regimen.
The golfer last month stunned fans when a photo he posted on Instagram went viral.
The photo showed the sportsman walking on the beach, with the shape of his manhood clearly visible beneath the folds of his boardshorts.
One follower even joked that Norman's famous golfing nickname 'The Shark' should be changed to 'The Snake'.
Norman tied the knot with this third wife, Kirsten Kutner, 50, in 2010, and the pair remain happily married
Norman tied the knot with this third wife, Kirsten Kutner, 50, in 2010, and the pair remain happily married.
The couple celebrated their anniversary in November this year.
'Here's to 10 years of these beautiful sunsets we have shared and to special moments with a beautiful special person and wife Kirsten Kutner,' he wrote on Instagram.
'Each day better than the last.'
Ms Kutner also paid tribute to their decade together on her Instagram.
She wrote: 'Here's to our unbreakable bond and a million little moments which have drawn us even closer together, especially this challenging year.'
'I am so lucky to share a life with you gorgeous.'