NORMAN AND FALDO MISS OPEN AT ROYAL ST GEORGE'S

FROM THE SKYSPORTS.COM WEBSITE

Greg Norman and Sir Nick Faldo, first and second in the record-breaking 1993 Open at Royal St George's, will not be involved in this year's championship at the Kent links.

The 56-year-old Australian underwent further shoulder surgery in February and, like Faldo, has not filed an entry for the July 14-17 event.

Norman's 267 total 18 years ago remains the lowest score in Open history and he is also the only man to have won the title with a closing 64.

It was to prove his last major victory. He lost a play-off to Paul Azinger in the USPGA a month later, was runner-up to Corey Pavin at the 1995 US Open and then, perhaps most famously of all, lost by five to Faldo at the 1996 Masters after going into the final day six clear of the field.

Just three years ago he was leading with nine to play at Royal Birkdale before eventually slipping back to third.

Norman did not play at St Andrews last July following a right shoulder operation the previous September, but his latest surgery was on his left shoulder - the same one that was operated on in 1998.

"For more than six months now I've known that such a procedure would be required," he said at the time. "I'm hopeful that with aggressive rehabilitation I will be able to play towards the end of July."

Faldo finished second two strokes behind Norman in 1993 and in the second round equalled the major record with a 63, but with his television commentary work he has not played a tournament since missing the cut at St Andrews last July.