Greg Norman's £50m divorce deal leaves him free to marry Chris Evert

The 52-year old Australian golf legend, who is said to be worth £250 million, ended his 26-year marriage after months of legal wrangling over money.

Asked if he would now be marrying former tennis champion Miss Evert, Norman replied: "Sure, why not?"

Scroll down for more...

Golf Partner: Former tennis star Chris Evert with Norman

The golfer known as the Great White Shark went public with his new relationship after being seen dining with Miss Evert in Sydney in December.

The 52-year-old American tennis star, who won 18 grand slam singles titles and is thought to be worth £15 million, had just divorced ex-Olympic ski champion Andy Mill after 18 years of marriage.

She was previously married to British tennis star John Lloyd. Mr Mill and Miss Evert, who have three sons, had been close to the Normans.

American Mr Mill, 53, who considered Norman his "best friend", was heartbroken by his betrayal, saying: "A year and a half ago I'd have taken a bullet for this guy. I didn't realise he was going to pull the trigger."

Scroll down for more...

Unhappy families: Greg and Laura Norman, left, with their best friends Chris Evert and Andy Mill in 2001

Leaving the court in Stuart, Florida, a smiling Norman said he was "happy to move on" but expressed regret "that the situation turned out the way it did", referring to the increasingly acrimonious proceedings.

Before flying off to be with Miss Evert at the U.S. Tennis Open in New York, he added: "We wanted to keep it as amicable as possible. It's kind of sad. It hurts a lot of people."

His wife Laura, with whom he has two grown-up children, cut a lonely figure as she left the court in tears.

The divorce is likely to be signed off in days but the former air hostess is still demanding another £500,000 because of delays in signing the confidential agreement.

She is expected to get the proceeds-from the sale of the couple's £5 million mansion on Jupiter Island, Florida, as well as a cash payment.

Scroll down for more...

Relief: Greg Norman and ex-wife Laura

Norman, who was the world's top golfer for 331 weeks between 1986 and 1998 and won two Open Championships, filed for divorce last year over "irreconcilable differences".

In court, he said he had been more than generous to his wife.

A statement filed by his lawyers said: "The wife did not teach the husband to swing a golf club.

"The wife did not teach the husband to win."