Norman: PGA Championship Decision Proved Difficult

Following his second top five finish in as many tournaments and while preparing for this week's U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor, Greg Norman has decided to decline the PGA of America's invitation to compete in the 90th PGA Championship, Aug. 7-10, at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Norman: "I wish the PGA and Oakland Hills all the very best for what I'm sure will be a great week for golf."

"While I truly appreciate the PGA extending me an exemption for this year's PGA Championship, I have elected to decline in favor of adhering to the professional and personal commitments I made prior to The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale," said Norman. "I wish the PGA and Oakland Hills all the very best for what I'm sure will be a great week for golf."

At this year's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, an improbable run for a third Claret Jug thrust the former World No. 1 back into the spotlight. On the heels of his joint third place finish, Norman was extended a special invitation to compete in the year's final major by PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka and the PGA Championship committee.

The decision proved difficult for Norman, who labored over the honor and privilege bestowed by the PGA against prior professional and personal commitments. While the PGA Championship would have been Norman's fourth consecutive week of tournament golf, physical fitness was not a factor in the 53-year-old World Golf Hall of Famer's decision to decline the invitation.

Following the U.S. Senior Open, Norman will take a break from tournament golf to focus on his various businesses including Greg Norman Golf Course Design, Southern Cross Developments, Greg Norman Collection, Greg Norman Estates (wine), MacGregor Golf, Greg Norman Australian Grille, Greg Norman Australian Prime, Greg Norman Production Company, and Greg Norman Interactive, in addition to other licensing and merchandising activities.