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Couples, Jones withdraw from British Open

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Posted: Friday July 09, 1999 10:44 AM

Fred Couples is in danger of missing the 1999 Ryder Cup, as he is currently 13th in the American Ryder Cup standings. Jon Ferry/Allsport

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland (AP) -- Fred Couples and Steve Jones pulled out of the British Open on Friday, the latest American golfers to withdraw from next week's tournament at Carnoustie.

Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, sent a brief fax to the event organizers this morning to confirm he would not play.

He gave no reason.

Within an hour, 1996 U.S. champion Steve Jones also informed the organizers, the Royal and Ancient Club, that he was not well and would not be making the trip to Britain.

Previous U.S. withdrawal notices came from 1995 British Open champion John Daly, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Kite and American Ryder Cup captain Ben Crenshaw.

Couples missed the cut at the U.S. Open last month and his form this year has seen him slip to 13th in the American Ryder Cup standings.

Jones made his debut at the British Open at Troon in 1989 and, after a five year absence, returned to play in the past three years.

Nicklaus is rehabilitating after hip surgery, Kite and Crenshaw cited bad form and Daly, who finished in last place at the U.S. Open, said he was lacking confidence after finishing next to last in last week's Irish Open.

 

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