American Notah Begay has pulled out of entering next year's New Zealand Open, just days before he was set to add his name to the tournament's bill of stars.
The four-time US PGA Tour winner was advised to cancel his pending visit to the Paraparaumu Beach tournament in January by his
doctor.
A back injury, which started a slide in Begay's world ranking this year, is being blamed for ending hopes of a tournament showdown with his friend Tiger Woods.
World No 1 Woods, a confirmed starter, and Begay met and played golf at Stanford University.
Open managing director David Pool said Begay was poised to enter, but the enforced layoff had scuttled his plans.
"He had agreed to the terms of the contract and we were all ready to rock and roll," Pool said. "But his physician has told him to take the balance of the year off and then start playing again in the New Year. That means he must try to keep travel to a minimum, meaning no long international flights."
Begay's golfing credentials are impeccable, and his cancellation robs the tournament of one of golf's colourful characters.
He represented the United States in last year's Presidents Cup and until recently was regularly ranked in the world's top 50.
when he was jailed for drink-driving. He was the first native American to win a US PGA tour event since Rod Curl won the Colonial in 1974.
ntePool dismissed suggestions that Begay's cancellation would cause a domino effect among the world's golfing elite.
"I am talking to a number of golfers and for the reasons stated, this one can't come," he said.
Negotiations with other American golfers, one understood to be world No 46 Steve Stricker, were continuing.
- NZPA
