JOSE-MARIA OLAZABAL, whose last tournament appearance was eight months ago, has now had to pull out of this week's Spanish Open in Madrid. Olazabal, who has rheumatoid arthritis in both his feet, felt almost ready to return to the European tour a fortnight ago, but then suffered a relapse.
The 30-year-old Spaniard, arguably the best player in the world when he won the US Masters two years ago, has been on medication for over a year and has had some specially designed shoes made but still does not feel able to commit himself to a 72-hole event.
His name has already been withdrawn from the Benson and Hedges International at The Oxfordshire on May 16th-19th and the following week's Volvo PGA championship at Wentworth.