The Open: Past champ withdraws ahead of Round 2

And then there were 155.

Following the withdrawal of Romain Langasque after only seven holes on Thursday, another player has withdrawn from The 152nd Open.

Two-time champion Ernie Els has pulled out of the championship ahead of the second round at Royal Troon.

According to a statement from the R&A, a back injury means the South African is unable to continue.

He was due to tee off at 7.19am alongside compatriot Altin Van Der Merwe and the 2019 US Open champion, Gary Woodland

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Els, who won the Claret Jug in 2002 and 2012, opened with an 11-over 82 and was on course for his fourth consecutive missed cut in the championship.

His focus now will be on recovering in time to take his place in the field for next week’s Senior Open at Carnoustie.

Els, of course, came within a whisker of adding his name to Royal Troon’s illustrious list of Open champions in 2004, narrowly losing out in a playoff to Todd Hamilton.

He and Hamilton had the same score again this year in round one, the former Claret Jug holders looking down the leaderboard on Dan Bradbury alone at the end of play on Thursday.

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Head of Content