05 Nov 2009

Norman out of Australian Open

Melbourne - Greg Norman's slower-than-expected recovery from shoulder surgery will force him to miss next month's Australian Open, tournament officials said on Thursday.

Golf Australia said Norman was advised by his doctors not to play competitive golf again this year following arthroscopic surgery in September.

The Australian Open will be at the New South Wales Golf Club in Sydney from December 3-6. Golf Australia said Norman will also sit out his signature event in Florida, the Shark Shootout, in the week after the Australian Open.

Norman's withdrawal comes a month after the announcement of the breakup of his 15-month marriage to tennis great Chris Evert.

Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and John Daly are entered in the Australian Open, the second of three tournaments on the Australian late-year circuit.

The Australian Masters, featuring Tiger Woods's first appearance in Australia since the Presidents Cup in 1998, will be next week at Kingston Heath in Melbourne.

The Australian PGA will be held the week following the Australian Open - from December 10-13 - at a revamped Hyatt Regency resort course at Coolum, Queensland.

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