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Faldo and Norman to miss St George's

Sir Nick Faldo will not tee it up at Royal St George's © Getty Images

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Sir Nick Faldo and Greg Norman have both opted not to play in this year's Open Championship at Royal St George's.

Norman won the event around the Sandwich course in 1993, with Faldo coming in second after the Australian's record-breaking final round of 64. But the pair will not be involved when the event returns to Kent in July, as the Englishman focuses on his commentary duties and Norman recovers from recent surgery.

Norman, who never won another major after that success, is still recovering from an operation on his left shoulder in February - but has declined to submit an entry to the major with his recovery likely to take longer than required to participate.

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

Just three years ago, at Royal Birkdale, Norman was leading the Open Championship with nine holes to play before ultimately falling away.

Faldo, meanwhile, should have good memories of St George's, after finishing in a tie for eighth last time the event was hosted there in 2003 - the last top-ten major finish of his career.

One former winner who will be present for the event, however, is Ben Curtis - who emerged from nowhere to take the Claret Jug eight years ago.

"Royal St George's is obviously very dear to my heart and I've got a lot of fond memories," Curtis said. "I love links golf, it's fantastic. St George's is probably the one that has the most slopes in the fairways.

"There's definitely going to be some pressure coming back here. Come that week I'll probably feel it. I will take the necessary steps and if my game is in order it will take care of itself.

"I want to do well here because this time I have my whole family coming over. It's going to be different."

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