Tuesday, 9 January 2007

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Greg Norman: I share a 'bond' with Chris Evert

Golfer admits he and Wimbledon champion like to be together

Having previously kept mum on his relationship with tennis star Chris Evert – except to tell reporters in November, "We're very, very close friends. We'll leave it at that" – golfer Greg Norman now has more to say.

"We like to be with each other. We enjoy each other's company immensely," Norman, 51, tells GOLF magazine. "We share a very common bond with a lot of things in life. We are very close individually with each other and, looking forward, I hope that stays the same way."

In November, Evert, 52, filed for divorce from her husband of 18 years, skiing champ Andy Mill, who had been one of Norman's good friends.

Earlier this month, Mill spoke about his ex-wife's relationship with Norman, telling PEOPLE: "These two people have really meant a lot to me for a long time. At this point I just wish them great happiness."

In their divorce settlement in December, Evert agreed to pay Mill $7 million in cash and securities, and she was granted custody of their three sons – Alex, 15; Nicky, 12; and Colton, 10.

Norman split from his wife of 25 years, Laura, 57, last June. They have two grown children.

Evert and Norman became business partners recently when she signed on to create tennis academies in his resort developments, and in December were spotted strolling hand-in-hand in Sydney, Australia.