Golf: Fred Funk withdraws from the Open

American Fred Funk, who has openly admitted he hated the time he spent at the Open last year, has pulled out of next week's championship at Royal Troon.

The 48-year-old lies ninth in the race for places in the United States Ryder Cup sides, but he has joined two other possible team-mates, Scott Hoch and Kirk Triplett, in turning down the chance to play.

At Sandwich Funk had rounds of 75 and 80 to miss the halfway cut by five shots and said later: "I went to Royal St George's and got in some terrible habits. I shouldn't say I hated the golf course, but I hated the golf course.

link