Norman was forced to withdraw from the BellSouth Classic with a serious virus which struck during the night and put him immediately on the doubtful list for the Major he pines for most.

Norman's wife Laura telephoned tour officials to inform them that Norman would have to pull out for a second successive year - shoulder surgery prevented him playing on his own course last year.

"This isn't the kind of thing Greg could shake off in a day so there's no chance he can play," said Laura.

It is a huge blow to Norman's chances of contending in the season's first Grand Slam event - the Major he feels suits his game more than any other. "I feel like I can win six Green Jackets," Norman said once.

It was a quote which would come back to haunt him on many occasions - most memorably in 1996 when he went into the last round with a six-shot lead over Nick Faldo and collapsed. Norman was restricted at Augusta last year because of the shoulder problems which were to keep him out of action until November.

Tournament officials here had hoped to get the greens as close to Augusta National speed as possible - ideal preparation, especially since Norman finished fifth here on the only occasion he has been able to compete.

If Norman does recover in time to take his place in the Masters line-up, the first round will be just his seventh in competitive strokeplay all season.