Tournament officials were concerned about Greg Norman’s health after he withdrew early in the first round of the Australian PGA Championship.

Making a rare tournament start, 57-year-old former world No.1 Norman made bogeys at his first two holes at the Palmer Coolum resort course before quitting to get treatment in his room for what officials said was suspected severe food poisoning.

“He is quite ill, we understand,” said PGA of Australia chief executive Brian Thorburn.

“He is getting medical attention.

“I haven’t spoken to him. I have spoken to his manager and I have spoken to the guys who saw him this morning.

“They’re all facilitating medical treatment.

“One person described him as being as sick as a dog.

“I think Greg was trying to soldier through and clearly it wasn’t possible.”

Norman’s withdrawal was the first shock of the day but there was more to come with China’s Xin Jun Zhang, a 400-1 outsider, setting the early pace.

Zhang went out in 32 shots with four birdies and moved into the outright lead at six-under par after 14 holes.

The early leaders also included Melbourne’s Ashley Hall, who was five-under with Perth’s Scott Strange towards the end of their opening rounds.