Greg Norman has been officially inducted as the 27th legend of Australian sport, calling it "by far the greatest honour" he had received in a glittering golf career.

Norman, 52, was accompanied at the Sport Australia Half of Fame (SAHOF) function by his new partner, former tennis great Chris Evert, his children Morgan-Leigh and Gregory junior and his parents.

He became the 27th official Hall of Fame legend, joining the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Dawn Fraser, Herb Elliott and last year's winner, former VFL/AFL playing and coaching great Ron Barassi.

Norman was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame six years ago, but said recognition far outstripped that honour.

"This is by far the greatest one," he said.

"Because it's not just a culmination of what you do on the golf course."

Despite spending a then-record 331 weeks atop the world rankings and winning two British Opens, Norman will be remembered at least as much for the major tournaments he lost.

In 1986, he started the final day of all four majors in front, but only won one of them.

And 10 years later, he frittered away a six-shot final-day lead in the US Masters, as Britain's Nick Faldo powered away to a five-stroke victory.

But through it all, Norman's charisma and ability attracted a whole new generation of fans to the sport in Australia.

And he said the highlight of his career was winning the 1976 Westlakes Classic on Adelaide in only his third tournament as a professional.

"It was the third tournament I'd ever played in and so to win that one gave me so much confidence," he said.

In his speech, Norman paid special tribute to his mentor Charlie Earp, whom he worked under as a trainee at Royal Queensland before turning professional in the mid 1970s.

Five other athletes were inducted as members of the Hall of Fame - former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, Olympic short-track speedskating gold medallist Steve Bradbury, two-time Olympic rowing champion and Oarsome Foursome member Mike McKay, multiple Olympic and world champion swimmer Petria Thomas and Paralympic athletics superstar Louise Savage.

Also inducted were Tony Charlton (media) and John Bloomfield (sports science).

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