English golfer Paul Casey will be out of action for several weeks after dislocating his right shoulder while snowboarding in Colorado.
The world number 20 will be unable to defend his Volvo Golf Champions title in South Africa this month.
Casey will also miss the European Tour's Middle Eastern swing, comprising three tournaments in January and February.
"I am very frustrated as I was really looking forward to getting off to a fast start in 2012," Casey said.
"The good news is the experts I've seen say I don't need surgery and, having already started my rehabilitation exercises, I should be back hitting balls in a few weeks."
The 34-year-old Casey endured an injury-plagued season last year, which culminated in him losing his PGA Tour card.
This latest setback will also see the 11-times European Tour winner miss the chance to gain valuable Ryder Cup points ahead of the biennial showpiece in Medinah, Illinois, in September.
Casey missed out on selection for the 2010 European Ryder Cup team, which defeated the USA in Wales.
He was, however, part of the winning European teams in 2004 and 2006, and also featured in in the 2008 defeat in Louisville, Kentucky.