Thursday 8 September 2016 12:10, UK
Defending champion Thomas Pieters has been forced to pull out of the KLM Open after suffering an allergic reaction to a bee sting.
Pieters was stung by a bee on Monday afternoon during a challenge match against Dutch No 1 Joost Luiten.
The Belgian confirmed on Instagram: "The very unfortunate worst case scenario just happened....
"One bee sting on Monday during the golf challenge against @joostluitengolfer led to a major allergic reaction with flu symptoms, and forced me to pull out of my favourite tournament of the year #KLMOpen.
"Very sorry to all the fans that are on their way to support me and to the organisation @tgsport. I owe it to you guys to defend my title next year."
There is no indication that the allergic reaction will affect Pieters' participation in the Ryder Cup, which starts at the Hazeltine course in Minnesota on September 30.
European Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke said he sees signs of potential greatness in Pieters' game when announcing him as his final wild card pick ahead of Russell Knox.
"I said all along I would not pick a rookie, I would be reticent to do so," Clarke said last month.
"But he (Pieters) just brings something special. He hits it so far and his short game is fantastic."
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