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Official disappointed by withdrawals
Posted: Friday July 09, 1999 03:53 PM
LOCH LOMOND, Scotland (Reuters) -- A top official for next week's British Open at Carnoustie expressed disappointment on Friday at the withdrawal of five big-name Americans from the field. Duncan Weir, assistant championship secretary, was reacting to the withdrawals this week of Fred Couples, Steve Jones, Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw and John Daly. Couples and Jones notified the tournament of their decisions on Friday, the other three earlier in the week. Between them, the five have won seven major titles in their careers. "We are disappointed but that's life. I don't think any of the scratchings were entirely unexpected," Weir said. "It just so happens that these five are all Americans but we still have a great tournament, a great field." Weir said the committee were a little surprised by the withdrawal of Kite. "But Ben Crenshaw has not made a cut all year and he did not want to prevent a youngster from taking a place. He has had no game this year. We thanked him for his support for the championships." Couples, Crenshaw and Kite all said the state of their games led to their withdrawals. Jones is injured while Daly, the 1995 champion, confirmed on Thursday that he intended to take a break for the game. He is expected to return for the U.S. PGA Championship next month, the event where he made his name by winning as an unknown in 1991.
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