ESPN.com - Golf Online - PGA Championship 2000 - Elkington expected to play in six weeks

ESPN Golf Online news services
Wednesday, August 16

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Steve Elkington formally withdrew Monday from this week's PGA Championship after undergoing hip surgery last week.


	Duval

Elkington, winner of the 1995 PGA Championship, was replaced in the 150-man field by Edward Fryatt, the fourth alternate to get into the field.

Elkington, whose career has been hampered over the years by sinus problems related to allergies, had surgery in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Friday to repair a torn hip ball and socket that he had sustained over the past several months. The injury grew worse at the pro-am at last week's Buick Open.

Elkington's injury was similar to one suffered by Greg Norman earlier this year and the same physician, Dr. Marc Philippon, performed the operation for both men.

Norman made a complete recovery and returned to competition two weeks ago, saying he had never felt better. Elkington, 37, said he expected to be back playing in about six weeks.

"This was obviously pitiful timing," Elkington, who is 41st in the World Rankings, said of the injury, which knocked him out of the last major championship of the year.

Elkington, who also withdrew before the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, came into this week 11th in the Presidents Cup rankings. The top 10 are assured of spots on the International team. But because of the quirky ranking system, it's still possible he could actually improve his position by not playing.