Ben Crenshaw pulls out of Open

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Ben Crenshaw pulled out of next week's Open, organizers said today.

Crenshaw faxed the Royal and Ancient Club saying he did not consider his game up to the championship.

"I want to give my space to somebody who could make better use of it," he said.

Crenshaw, 47, has finished 213th and 268th on the U.S. Tour the last two seasons.

He was exempt from qualifying for the Open by virtue of his 1995 Masters victory. Crenshaw tied for second at the Open behind Jack Nicklaus in 1978 at St. Andrews, and Seve Ballesteros at Lytham in 1980.

His withdrawal came a day after former Ryder Cup captain Tom Kite announced he was pulling out because of poor form.

Nicklaus will miss the Open with a hip injury.

AP