Greg Norman's return from arthroscopic hip surgery will take place earlier than planned.
With his recovery ahead of schedule, the Australian has committed to play at The International next week, which is two weeks before he was scheduled to return to the links.
Norman underwent right hip surgery June 27 to repair a torn labrum and was expected to be out of action until the PGA Championship from August 17-20. But with extensive rehabilitation, "The Shark" will be able to compete next week at Castle Rock, Colorado.
"With the help and advice from my trainer Pete Draovitch as well as Drs. Marc Philippon and Richard Hawkins, I was able to rebound more quickly than expected," Norman said. "I have worked hard to get my hip back into shape and I may also be blessed by the fact that my body has a tendency to heal quickly."
The winner of 74 worldwide golf tournaments, Norman missed only last week'sOpen, an event he has captured twice and the only major he has won.
The injury hampered Norman for several years and caused increased discomfort in recent months.
Norman, 45, also has been bothered by shoulder problems and underwent arthroscopic surgery in April 1998. He has not won a PGA Tour event since capturing the FedEx St. Jude Classic and NEC World Series of Golf in 1997.
His best showing this season was a fourth-place finish at the Buick Classic in June before missing the cut at the U.S. Open in his most recent start.
The Australian has 18 career PGA Tour wins and another 56 in international play, including the British Open in 1986 and 1993.
