Olazabal withdraws from Open, and Pernice gets in

Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain withdrew from the Open Championship Tuesday, citing recurring pain in his knee. He hasn't played since the U.S. Open, and hopes to return to action in time for the PGA Championship next month.

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland (PA Sport) -- Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal pulled out of the Open Championship on Tuesday.

The Spanish star has been battling a knee problem for the past month and withdrew from the French and Scottish Opens in recent weeks.

He flew home to Spain for intensive treatment over the weekend, but has told The Royal and Ancient Golf Club he will not compete at Carnoustie this week.

Olazabal, who returned last September to Europe's Ryder Cup side after a gap of seven years and helped defeat the Americans at the K Club in Ireland, has not played since the U.S. Open in June.

He is hoping to recover in time for next month's final major of the season, the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla.

Olazabal has been replaced in the field by American Tom Pernice, Jr. Pernice was originally second reserve, but decided to fly to Scotland after fellow American Lucas Glover replaced injured Japanese player Shingo Katayama.

Pernice's call-up puts Jyoti Randhawa of India on standby for the event.

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