Greg Norman to miss Australian Open

Greg Norman will miss next month's Australian Open at New South Wales Golf Club due to a persistent shoulder injury.

The 54-year-old was part of a strong field, but he has been forced to withdraw after failing to recover in time from the injury that he suffered in late September.

Doctors have recommended that the five-time winner of the Australian Open stay away from competitive golf until 2010.

"Naturally we're disappointed that Greg will not be able to join us," Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said in a statement on Thursday.

"We wish him well in his recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the Australian Open field in 2010."

Not only will Norman miss the Australian Open being held at the NSW Golf Club in Sydney, but he will also miss the Shark Shootout the following weekend. It will be the first time in the 21-year history that the two-time Open champion will miss his own tournament.

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