Injury strikes down Immelman
Home favourite forced out of South African Open by injury
Last updated: 13th December 2007
Immelman: Rib injury
Former champion Trevor Immelman was forced to withdraw from the South African Open on Thursday with a rib muscle injury.
The 27-year-old pulled out after just two holes of his opening round at Pearl Valley Golf Estate which he had played in level-par.
Immelman - twice winner of the event in 2003 and 2004 - was struggling with the problem before the event, but had been hoping it would improve sufficiently to let him compete.
However, that proved impossible for the world number 19 who was left dejected by his early exit on home soil.
"I was hoping to play through the pain and continue the tournament, but the pain intensified to the degree that I was struggling to breath, and also to swing," he told reporters.
"It is a great disappointment for me to have to retire - I was really looking forward to a fantastic tournament and felt I had every chance to challenge for the South African Airways Open Championship title for a third time."
The injury comes at a bad time for Immelman who is in good form at present having recently won the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City.
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