Brian Watts, Open runner-up in 1998 at Royal Birkdale, has had
surgery on his left hip to repair a torn cartilage and will miss
the first two months of the season.
The 34-year-old American has had pain in his hip for around 18 months.
He finished 133rd on the US money list last year, and missed retaining
his Tour card by one stroke at qualifying school. However, e still
has conditional
status, and hopes to make his return in the Genuity Championship
at Doral.
"I'm really looking forward to 2001 and the prospect of being
healthy," Watts said.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Marc Philippon, who has also operated
on the hips of Greg Norman, Steve Elkington and Jesper Parnevik
in the past year.
