Wednesday 6 December 2017 18:34, UK
Louis Oosthuizen has been forced to pull out of this week’s Joburg Open after sustaining a freak injury at an airport.
The home favourite, who was set to be the highest-ranked player in the field, accidentally jammed his fingers between two airport trollies on his way home from last week's Mauritius Open.
Oosthuizen had hoped the injury would recover to tee it up at the tri-sanctioned event, but had to step aside due to being unable to grip his clubs and still being in severe pain.
"This morning is even worse than it was yesterday, so I tried to grip a golf club but there's no way I can go to my grip position," Oosthuizen told the media on Wednesday.
"It's a bit of an unfortunate one, but I don't want to tee off Thursday and play one hole or a few shots and then withdraw after taking someone's spot."
America's Cody Martin replaces Oosthuizen in the field, with Mauritius Open champion Dylan Frittelli and Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond completing that threeball.
This week's event is the latest in the Open Qualifying Series, with the three leading players who finish in the top 10 and who are not already exempt will earn a place at The 147th Open.
Watch the Joburg Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 8.30am.
