Golf Australia today announced that five-time Australian Open Champion Greg Norman is unable to join his fellow Australian stars in Sydney for the Australian Open as a result of delays in his recovery from recent shoulder surgery. On the advice of his doctors Norman will not play competitive golf again in 2009 after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in September, meaning he will miss his much anticipated return to the New South Wales Golf Club at La Perouse for the Australian Open to be held on 3-6 December. In addition, Norman will be unable to play in his signature event, The Shark Shootout, to be held the following week in Florida. Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was disappointed Norman could not attend and wished him well in his recovery from surgery. Naturally we re disappointed that Greg will not be able to join us, Pitt said. We wish him well in his recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the Australian Open field in 2010. While the championship will undoubtedly miss the magnetism of Greg it will mean some of the spotlight will return to the outstanding Australian depth in the field. The 2009 championship will also herald the return of two-time Australian Open champion Aaron Baddeley for the first time since 2007. It will also be Adam Scott s first appearance at the Australian Open since 2007. The Australian Open field will feature Australia s top ranked players including Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, Michael Sim, Aaron Baddeley, Mathew Goggin, Stuart Appleby, John Senden, Marc Leishman and Americans John Daly, Steve Marino, Kevin Stadler and a host of young, exciting players competing in the first Australian event on the OneAsia Tour.