Norman pulls out of British Open

LONDON, July 4 (Reuters) Twice former champion Greg Norman will miss the British Open at Hoylake later this month.

The 51-year-old Australian has been given clearance to resume playing after having surgery on his right knee in February.

But Norman said he did not yet feel ready to return to competitive golf and will also miss this week's US Senior Open in Hutchinson, Kansas and the Senior British Open at Turnberry which starts on July 27.

''My knee is fine,'' Norman was quoted as saying on his official website. ''My game just isn't where I want it to be and the last thing I want to do is take a spot away from another deserving professional.

''Now I can focus on my game and get ready to play some tournaments later this summer.'' Norman, who won the British Open in 1986 and 1993, will be replaced in the field at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club by Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, the 2005 rookie of the year.

The British Open starts on July 20.

Reuters SHB RN2337