RELATED STORIES Justin Leonard set for Bob Hope defence Justin Leonard signs with Nike Golf Leonard & Parnevik make hole in ones - Players Championship 2006 Justin Leonard clinches title with closing 67 - Bob Hope Classic GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Colin Montgomerie plays down Ryder Cup talk Top players absent from Tigers' event Opportunities abound without Tiger playing Olazabal & Clarke miss out on Open Kenny Perry moves back in to World Top 20 Tiger Woods unsure of when he'll return GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Golf Breaks to Portugal & Ireland Half Price Golf Vouchers InstructaCard - your portable pro! The Father & Son Golf Ch'ship Golf Insurance

Justin Leonard withdraws from Open

Former British Open champion Justin Leonard withdrew from next week's Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club due to the pending birth of his next child.

Leonard claimed the 1997 British Open at Royal Troon and lost in a playoff to Paul Lawrie two years later at Carnoustie. That event is more well known for Jean Van de Velde's collapse on the 18th hole.

Leonard was replaced in this year's field by England's Simon Khan.

Greg Norman, the 1986 and 1993 British Open champion, also announced he will not be playing this week. Norman is recuperating from knee surgery in February and he feels his game is not in good enough shape to play this week.

"My knee is fine," Norman said in a statement. "My game just isn't where I want it to be, and the last thing I want to do is take a spot away from another deserving professional."

July 17, 2006