LONDON (AFP) - South Africa's Ernie Els has been forced to pull out of this week's Chrysler Championship in Florida, the penultimate money-counting event on the PGA Tours 2004 schedule, due to injury.
Els, the recent winner of the World Match Play Championship for a record sixth time and ranked world number two, has injured his finger meaning he cannot grip his club properly.
"This is not the sort of decision I ever take lightly and I'm sorry for the sponsors and everyone else involved in the tournament," the 35-year-old Els said on his personal website www.ernieels.com.
"But Ive got no choice, unfortunately. I've injured a finger on my left hand. I can't even grip the club properly, let alone hit shots.
"I know from the last time I was injured (a sprained wrist at the start of the 2003 season) that you cant take any chances with things like this.
"You have to make sure it's 100 per cent right before you play again, otherwise you can easily make the problem far worse and be out of action for several weeks.
"It's frustrating when you cant do something you want to do. But you know, accidents happen. It could have been worse, I guess."
Els said he will rest up in a bid to get fit for next week's Tour Championship, the PGA Tour's season-ending event which is being held at the East Lake Country Club in Atlanta.
10/27/2004 - 12:51 GMT - AFP