Injury Forces 2010 Winner Oosthuizen to Withdraw

For Louis Oosthuizen, Peter Hanson and Alex Noren the start to the Open Championship yesterday did not go according to plan.  All three players were forced to withdraw from the major at different stages due to injuries.  But their withdrawals were too late for Joost Luiten, the first-reserve who was hoping to play in his third consecutive Open.

Muirfield was the first tournament back for Oosthuizen since having to pull out of the U.S. Open last month with a neck injury.  The 2010 Champion was seen struggling throughout his first few holes yesterday and after teeing off at the ninth decided to call it a day.

“I am bitterly disappointed to have to pull out of The Open and it looks likely now I am going to have to take some time off and give my neck the rest I've been told it needs,” he said afterwards.  “I thought I would be okay as I warmed up pretty well on the range but then as the round progressed the pain in my neck translated into my hips and I found it increasingly uncomfortable to walk.”

It now looks like the 30-year-old will also miss out on next month’s PGA Championship.

Meanwhile, Hanson, a member of last year’s Ryder Cup team, was only able to last five holes at Muirfield before a back injury forced him to throw in the towel.  On Wednesday he had admitted his participation was 50/50 but he decided to go for it Thursday morning, meaning Luiten lost out on a last-minute Open spot.
Noren became the third player to withdraw after completing his first round.  A wrist injury was cited as the Swede’s issue after a disappointing 12-over 83 score yesterday.