Greg Norman has reportedly slipped his friend Donald Trump’s mobile number to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: Instagram

What he may not have realised was that his surprising friendship with the gregarious Republican would soon become essential for his home country and the United States’ diplomatic relations.

The now Florida-dweller’s close links to the President-elect have already helped Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shark other world leaders to become the second to congratulate Mr Trump on his election win.

Mr Turnbull’s office has confirmed Norman passed on his friend’s private mobile number to the Prime Minister at the request of Australia’s US ambassador Joe Hockey, facilitating the pair’s “very warm discussion”.

Mr Turnbull is understood to have leaned on high profile Australian business identities and celebrities in the US, as well as Foreign Minister’s Julie Bishop’s extensive network of American contacts, in his bid to get closer the President-elect.

His search for a strong connection ended when Mr Hockey - Australia’s representative in the US - asked Norman if he could help out, and the number was happily handed over.

Norman and the next president’s friendship is perhaps a surprising one, but unsurprisingly, it was forged on the golf course.

The pair have been close for over a decade often play together, and Norman has been vocally supportive of his friend’s political ambitions.

In an article published on Newsweek this week, Norman endorsed Mr Trump’s election and said he was not surprised his mate had been elected the 45th president of the United States of America.

“I am glad we have another golfer in the White House,” he wrote.

Greg Norman is friends with Donald Trump. Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Donald Trump is also a keen golfer. Picture: Damian Dovarganes/AP PhotoSource:AP

Norman, who is originally from Queensland but now spends most of his time living in his Florida mansion, said that for the past eight years the country he now calls home “has been in a state of uncertainty” and needed a “push-back against the establishment”.

“Donald, for all his bluster, rhetoric and aggressive style of messaging, caught the attention of those that needed a rudder for their forgotten beliefs,” he said.

“Like it or not, he made a poignant and powerful impact on a base that sat sadly alienated.”

Norman said he told Mr Trump 10 days before the election that he was going to win, and on election night in Mexico marvelling at the momentum building for the unlikely nominee.

“I turned the lights out knowing he would be the president-elect the following morning,” he wrote.

Since the election, Norman said he has already spoken with the President-elect “on numerous occasions” and predicted he would “surprise many with what he will do with the presidency”.

Acknowledging a Trump presidency would not only affect the US, but the rest of the world, Norman conceded he had spoken with Mr Turnbull about America’s new leadership.

“I will say that I have spoken to the prime minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, and he is on-board with wanting to see President-elect Trump succeed,” he wrote.

The retired golfer turned entrepreneur met with Mr Turnbull for the first time recently at a private dinner facilitated by Mr Hockey at the ambassador’s Washington DC residence.

‘Greg honour meeting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’: Norman shared this shot from the pair’s September 23 dinner. Picture: Instagram/@shark_gregnormanSource:Supplied

Malcolm Turnbull speaking to US President-elect Donald Trump ... on his private mobile line. Picture: Prime Minister’s OfficeSource:Supplied

In an Instagram post documenting the September meeting, Norman said it was a “great honour” meeting the PM.

The Prime Minister has described his 15-minute discussion with Mr Trump as “very warm”.

In a series of typically blusterous tweets taking aim at an article he took to suggest he had not been in touch with world leaders, the President-elect said he was “always available” to foreign leaders of many countries including Australia.

In a recent interview Norman said he has known Mr Trump for “more than a decade”, and complimented him as a passionate golfer and a politician.

“As a politician, he has stirred up the base of America. A lot of people wish they could say what he’s saying,” he told TCPalm.com.

But Norman didn’t give any clues as to how he thought his friend would perform as president, only that he hoped he would be different presidents before him.

Greg Norman is also friendly with former US President Bill Clinton through golf as well.Source:AP

“I’ve been fortunate enough to know a few presidents. A lot of what you say on the campaign trail to get to be president can’t be said in the Oval Office,” he said.

As well as teeing off together Norman and Mr Trump have done business together, with the now President-elect acquiring several golf courses built by the pro golfer turned entrepreneur.

They have no doubt also bonded over their similarly flashy lifestyles and successful business ventures.

Norman prefers to travel in his private jet emblazoned with a great white shark — an ode to the nicknamed he earned as during his professional golfing years.

He also, like Mr Trump, owns several luxury properties including a ranch in Colorado and mansion on Florida’s Jupiter Island.

Along with meetings with high powered politicians, Norman’s Instagram feed is filled with snapshots from his luxurious lifestyle including cruising around the Bahamas and Europe, champagne-soaked flights on his private jet, and occasional visits back to Australia.