The 54-year-old Australian was speaking early yesterday before the start of the Dubai World Championship. The tournament opened overnight on the Earth Course, which Norman designed for the event that marks the end of the European Tour's season.

''Golf is not going to be like it used to be. It's tough out there tough in business,'' Norman said.

''I hate the players to look recession proof, but the players have to be aware. I have gone through the cycle of things being really good and then going through another cycle.

''But I don't think the young generation see it because they have never seen it before. I have been through three recessions.''

The season-ending Dubai tournament originally had a $US10million ($A10.75million) prize fund, but that was reduced to $8.06million in September because of the global economic downturn.

Norman said the situation could be mirrored elsewhere on the American and European PGA Tours.

''We golfers have got to step up to the plate and be alert to it,'' Norman said. ''We have all had to tighten our belts and I think it would be very responsible of the players to be cognizant of that.''

English golfer Lee Westwood, who has won about $3.22million this year, said the prize in Dubai the winner will get $1.34million is still a lot.

''We should not complain about the cut in the prize fund here because we are still competing for an awful lot of money and we are aware that some of golf's sponsors are struggling at the moment,'' Westwood said.

Meanwhile, Golf Australia said yesterday Norman would attend the final two days of next month's Australian Open and do some television commentary.

Norman was forced to withdraw from the field for the Open at NSW Golf Club from December 3-6 because of a slower than expected recovery from shoulder surgery.

But Golf Australia said Norman would be at the Open on the Saturday and Sunday and would feature in commentary with host broadcaster Network Ten.

Norman's new three-year deal with Golf Australia and Events NSW involves serving as a tourism ambassador for Sydney. NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay is investigating promotional opportunities. AP/AAP