It wasannounced this evening that Greg Norman has withdrawn from the 130th British Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes.The 46-year-oldbowed out of the tournament due to the death of a close friend in the United States.
Norman declined to disclose the name of the friend but said:"I’m extremely disappointed to miss the British Open for a second consecutive year, but I’ve always maintained there’s nothing more important than family and friends."
The Australian, who won the Open at Sandwich in 1993 and Turnberry in 1986, will fly back to the States immediately.
Norman will be replaced by second reserveScott Henderson, who will now tee off with 1998 Open winner Mark O'Meara and Ireland's Paul McGinley at 8.39 a.m. tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia has got himself into more hot water and was fined by officials from the European Tour following comments he made at the Scottish Open last week.
The 21-year-old Spaniard sensationally said the condition of the Loch Lomond course has damaged his prospects at this week’s Open.
"This is the first time I’ve played in Europe for months but I see nothing changes.It’s nice to come back to see how bad the greens can be," said Garcia.
While recognising the greens at Loch Lomond were re-laid last winter, and most professionals agreed it would take a year to restore them fully,it was a particularly venomous verbal assault considering the volume of rain the Dumbartonshire course was subject to during the week.
To conclude the matter David Garland, Director of Operations for the European Tour said: "Sergio Garcia has been fined for comments the Tour finds unacceptable in relation to the excellent facilities at Loch Lomond for the Scottish Open."