THE two-time major winner Greg Norman said he was "damaged" but "lucky" to still have a left hand after a chainsaw accident on Saturday.

The 59-year-old Australian posted a picture of himself on Twitter and Instagram on Saturday night as he recovered after surgery for nerve damage in a hospital bed in the United States.

"Working with a chainsaw ALWAYS be respectful of the unexpected," he wrote. "I was one lucky man today. Damaged, but not down & out. Still have left hand."

He posted a picture last week of himself trimming a small tree, along with the message: "Time to trim the sea grapes today. Never ask someone to do something that you can do yourself. Love to work!"

Norman, Open champion in 1986 and 1993, also finished runner-up in two US Opens, two US PGAs and three Masters, and was world No.1 for a total of 331 weeks.

Norman later posted another picture of himself besides the trees in question with his left arm protected by an ungainly block of purple foam.

"Thank u all for your concern & good wishes," Norman wrote on Twitter. "All well the morning after the accident. Here I am at the scene of the crime w/my new fashion statement!"