THE intended return of Jose Maria Olazabal has been postponed once again. The injury plagued Spaniard yesterday withdrew from both this week's English Open and next week's US Open.

Olazabal, who has not played a tournament since last September because of rheumatoid arthritis in both his feet, played a round in four under par off the back tees at San Sebastian on Sunday, leaving manager Sergio Gomez to comment: "For me he is ready to come back, but he does not agree - he is still suffering some pain and he says he is not going to rush things."

Gomez dismissed a rumour that Olazabal was suffering from cancer. He has, however, received chemotherapy as part of his treatment and has also been investigating homeopathic medicine in a bid to alleviate the problem.