Injury-hit Immelman out of Open

Immelman won the Masters last year

Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman has withdrawn from next week's Open because of a wrist problem.

The 29-year-old South African also withdrew from the US Open because of the injury, which he suffered at the Memorial a month ago.

"My wrist has been responding well to treatment, but at this point, it just isn't far enough along to allow me to be ready for the Open," he said.

Swede Robert Karlsson is also out of the major because of an eye problem.

The 39-year-old has not played since the European Open in late May and his balance and vision have been affected.

It was first thought to be an inner ear infection, but fluid behind the retina was detected and Karlsson has been told it could take six months to clear.

"I'm just looking forward to getting through it and back playing," he said.

My depth vision had gone and where I noticed it most was with chip shots and bunker shots. Robert Karlsson

"When that is, though, I just don't know. I'm taking it week by week.

"If I had a normal job it would not be a problem - I'd just take things a bit easy.

"I don't feel bad at all, which is a bit annoying and frustrating, and my doctor has said that if I have to play I could, but if I did it would most likely take longer to get through this."

Karlsson had an outstanding year in 2008 and was the first Swedish player to win the old Order of Merit title, since rebranded The Race to Dubai.

He won twice in Europe and finished in the top eight in each of the first three majors, sharing 20th in the other, the USPGA Championship.

But this year he has had only one top 10 finish - fourth in January's Dubai Desert Classic - and was told by sports physiotherapists that his balance was out of kilter.

"Apparently it's quite common for men between the ages of 25 and 50 with stressful jobs," said the 6ft 5 Ryder Cup player.

"Light and dark shades of green started to float together if I can put it that way and in the PGA at Wentworth it was bad - everything started to look flat.

"My depth vision had gone and where I noticed it most was with chip shots and bunker shots. When the ball was up in the air I just couldn't judge how far it was going.

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Also out of The Open is New Zealander Tim Wilkinson, who came through qualifying in America but has since required thumb surgery.

No replacements have been called up at this stage since the field is set to be 156-strong even without them.