Injury forces Ernie Els out of TPC
IN: News | US PGA | The Players Championship (2003) | General | 26 Mar 2003
South African Ernie Els has withdrawn from the 2003 Players Championship following an injury he sustained to his right wrist while working out with a punching bag at his London home two weeks ago.
The world No. 2 joins Phil Mickelson and Thomas Bjorn, who also have withdrawn from this week's tournament. Mickelson pulled out of the field following the birth of his third child and Bjorn is awaiting the birth of twins.
Els played in last week's Bay Hill Invitational although he remarked that the injury didn't allow him to be as aggresive as he would have liked. A final round 77 saw him finish 19 strokes behind the winner, Tiger Woods.
The withdrawals of Els and Mickelson have reduced the field to 146 for this week's The Players Championship. Australian Aaron Baddeley is the first alternate, however, he will only get a start unless three more players pull out.
Els has confirmed that he is to play in the US Masters starting April 11th.
