Two-time British Open champion Greg Norman underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip Wednesday and will miss this year's championship at St. Andrews while recovering from the procedure.
The 45-year-old Norman had a torn labrum cartilage repaired and the hip capsule tightened in the surgery, which was performed by Dr. Marc Philippon at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"The tear was actually larger than we expected," Philippon said in a statement released by Great White Shark Enterprises Inc., Norman's management company. "Greg will immediately experience relief from pain."
Philippon said he thought Norman had suffered from the torn cartilage for at least five years.
He added Norman would be hitting golf balls within three to four weeks and should be able to return in time for the U.S. PGA Championship, which will be played August 17 through 20 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
Norman is the U.S. PGA Tour's third all-time leading money winner with $12.9 million. He won the 1986 British Open at Turnberry and the 1993 event at Royal St. George's.
This year's British Open will be held at St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, from July 17-23.