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Trump's golf buddy Norman pitches Australia to head of diplomatic queue (Reuters)

SYDNEY, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull became one of the first world leaders to speak to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump this week, but only after one of Trump's old golfing buddies was asked to chip in.

Turnbull confirmed that Australian golfing great and former world number one Greg Norman had been tapped to help facilitate the introduction to Trump, who includes building golf courses among his many business interests.

The connection enabled Turnbull to jump the queue of world leaders waiting to get the new U.S. leader on the phone, well ahead of larger allies like Britain and Japan, after Trump's surprise win in last week's presidential election.