This week’s British Open golf champion lost some of its sheen with two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain pulling out of the event at Carnoustie with a knee injury.
The nagging injury has been plaguing the Spaniard for quite a while and this was the third straight tournament Olazabal pulled out from. Earlier, he had skipped the French Open and last week’s Scottish Open. While his peers would be teeing up at Carnoustie this weekend, Olazabal would be in company of his doctors, receiving treatment for his injured knee.
The withdrawal by the Spaniard, however, has opened the door for American Tom Pernice, who would replace Olazabal in the tournament.
Pernice could not believe his luck because he was actually the second reserve but still got a chance to run shoulders with the likes of Tiger woods. Earlier, Japanese player Shingo Katayama also withdrew owing to injury and first reserve Lucas Glover replaced him.
India’s Jyoti Randhawa is the next stand-by for this week’s event.
