PERTH (Australia) - GOLFING great Greg Norman has set a modest goal for the US Masters in April, hoping just to make the cut on his return to Augusta National.

Norman's heroics at last year's British Open, where he led the field after three rounds at Royal Birkdale before finishing in a tie for third, earned him a 23rd invitation to the Masters.

The 54-year-old, who will compete at this week's Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth as part of his Masters preparation, has experienced plenty of heartache in Augusta, including his infamous 1996 implosion when he let a six-stroke lead slip to eventual winner Nick Faldo.

But Norman, who last played at Augusta in 2002, said he had barely given a passing thought to his impending return to the Masters.

"I know what to expect at Augusta," Norman said in Perth on Wednesday.

"I've played the golf course enough times. Even though it's going to be a brand new golf course, the atmosphere is the atmosphere.

"I've had some great experiences there and I've had some bad experiences there, but at the same time I think it all neutralises over my whole career there.

"I'm looking forward to going back. I'm looking forward to seeing the golf course, seeing a lot of my friends who are members there.

"I've always thought the Masters was the best run golf tournament in the world, because it's just pure golf, nothing else. No tents or villages or corporate hospitality.

"You just go there and play golf."

Norman has been grouped with world No.9 Camilo Villegas and world No.12 Lee Westwood at the Johnnie Walker Classic, which tees off at The Vines on Thursday.

But world No.11 Anthony Kim said he was wary of what Norman could achieve.

"He's proven himself so many times over and over again," Kim said. "I mean, look at what he did at British Open.

Norman said he is also likely to return to contest the British Open again this year. -- AAP