Greg Norman has forfeited his full U.S. Tour membership

[Kilroy]

MADRID (Reuters) -- Greg Norman has forfeited his full U.S. Tour membership to concentrate more on his business ventures, including his course-building operations.

The 45-year-old Queenslander could have kept his card going but he will not be fulfilling his mandatory 12 events in America, having called a halt after 11.

But Norman is not retiring and can play as many times as he likes on the European Tour as an honorary member.

However, under the U.S. Tour's current ruling he is only allowed five tour events, four majors and the Players Championship in the spring.

As he is not qualified for the three American majors, it means next year he could play as few as six events in the U.S.

Norman's spokesman John Story said on Saturday: 'If Greg had felt like it was a must to keep his membership he would have played last week, this week and next week.

'However, he's not going to retire. He can still play golf and he will.'

A worrying shoulder injury had inhibited the Australian's swing and it needed surgery three years ago, since when he has hardly been a force.

Winner of 14 European titles and 70 worldwide, Norman's last success in Europe was the 1994 Johnnie Walker Asian Classic. He last won in the U.S. in 1997.

[spidey]

...it was only a matter of time... ... he was a great player, he's not really concentrating on golf anymore...

spidey