There was drama in the 133rd Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon before a ball was struck on the opening day with the news that American David Duval, the man who was Champion at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2001, has withdrawn from the tournament.
The 32 year old, who has struggled with his game for a couple of years and indeed took time out for a spell before making his comeback in last month’s US Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills, informed R&A officials late on Wednesday night that he would not be taking his allocated tee-time.
Instead, the place has gone to fifth reserve David Griffiths from West Herts, who narrowly missed out on local qualifying at Western Gailes, and who now partners Sweden's Carl Pettersson and Craig Perks of New Zealand.
