Five-time champion Greg Norman announced his withdrawal from the Australian Open as he recovers from shoulder surgery, dealing a blow to the tournament.

Norman's doctors have advised him against playing competitive golf for the rest of the year, also ruling him out of his own event in Florida, December's Shark Shootout.

"Naturally we’re disappointed that Greg will not be able to join us," said Golf Australia chief Stephen Pitt.

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

Norman, 54, signed on for three editions of the Australian Open in June in what was seen as a boost for an event which has struggled to attract big foreign players.

Norman finished 26th when he last played the Australian Open, in 2005 at Royal Sydney.

The December 3-6 event in Sydney will feature most of Australia's best players including Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and Aaron Baddeley, along with popular American John Daly.

© 2009 AFP/sid