CANBERRA -- The world's most linked in retired pro-golfer -- who has connections to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush -- has been instrumental in getting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in touch with President-elect Donald Trump.
Amid signs of disarray within the Trump transition team, the incoming U.S. President has been busy taking calls from world leaders reportedly, and remarkably, without official State Department briefing materials.
Turnbull's team has spent considerable effort over the past few months getting acquainted with both the Trump and Clinton teams, but it was the Great White Shark, with the help of Australia's ambassador Joe Hockey, who came up with Trump's mobile phone number when it was needed for personal congratulations.
How Greg Norman helped the PM jump the queue to speak to @realDonaldTrump #auspol https://t.co/SpNpCWXxUC
— The Age (@theage) November 16, 2016
The Prime Minister described the U.S resident as a "great Australian" who wants both Australia and the United States to succeed.
"He is a great advocate for strengthening the Australian-American alliance," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.
"One of our greatest assets is the more than million Australians who live overseas. Greg is one of them."
Brendan O'Connor suggests the Great White Shark could soon be made the next Ambassador to the United States
— Frank Keany (@FJKeany) November 17, 2016
Asked why his office did not have Trump's number and had to depend on the retired pro-golfer, Turnbull was diplomatic.
"I'm not going... In diplomacy and policies, you use lots of networks," he said.
"All I can say is, we have great networks, great connections and Greg Norman is a great Australian."
Turnbull -- who had a 15-minute "very warm, constructive and practical" call - fared better than other world leaders who have reportedly resorted to randomly calling Trump Tower in New York City.
It took 24 hours for British Prime Minster Theresa May to get to speak to Trump, however Russian President Vladimir Putin was reportedly the first to congratulate the President-elect.
It's a situation Trump disputes.
I have recieved and taken calls from many foreign leaders despite what the failing @nytimes said. Russia, U.K., China, Saudi Arabia, Japan,
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2016
Australia, New Zealand, and more. I am always available to them. @nytimes is just upset that they looked like fools in their coverage of me.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2016
It pays to have friends, and better still, good golfing buddies.