Andre Stolz latest Open withdrawal

Australia's Andre Stolz withdrew from the British Open on Wednesday without giving a reason, organisers said.

The 32-year-old, a dual citizen of Australia and Switzerland who would have made his first British Open start on Thursday at Royal Troon, has been replaced by Britain's Brett Taylor.

Taylor, the fourth reserve, played in local final qualifying for the third of the year's four majors over the weekend.

Stolz is the sixth player to withdraw from the tournament since last week.

Britain's Warren Bennett pulled out on Tuesday because of a shoulder injury and Japan's Toshi Izawa withdrew the day before with a severe sinus infection.

Former U.S. Masters champion Fred Couples withdrew last Friday with a bad back while five-times Open champion Tom Watson pulled out on Thursday with shoulder and arm injuries.

A third American, Fred Funk, also withdrew on Thursday without giving a reason.

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