Officials see nothing sinister in withdrawals

Officials of next week's Open at Carnoustie said on Friday they felt there was nothing sinister about the withdrawal of six Americans from the tournament.

Sir Michael Bonallack, secretary of the Royal and Ancient Club who stage the Open, and assistant championship secretary Duncan Weir were reacting to the withdrawals of Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Fred Couples, Steve Jones, Brad Faxon and John Daly.

Faxon, Couples and Jones all withdrew on Friday, the others earlier in the week.

"I played the course today and yes it's tough but I don't see anything sinister in the withdrawals," Bonallack said.

"Ben and Tom have both been to Carnoustie and they know it is not a place to get back your game. Steve and Fred have injuries and John Daly is John Daly.

"You would not want to have to play out of the Carnoustie rough if you had an injury problem," he added.

Weir said there had been more withdrawals in other Opens. "We're disappointed but that's life. I don't think the scratchings were entirely unexpected.

"Ben hasn't made a cut this season. He has no game this year.

"We still have a very strong tournament, a strong field."

Couples, Kite and Crenshaw all pladed that their games were too poor to play. Faxon and Jones are injured while Daly confirmed his withdrawal which he suggested when he pulled out last Sunday from this week's Loch Lomond event.

Reuters