David Toms and Anthony Kim Withdraw from the British Open Due to Injuries
David Toms has withdrawn from the British Open to due to a reccurring injury to his right shoulder that needs rest, as the 43-year-old player has a bone spur in his rotator cuff that has been affecting his playing ability since last spring. According to his agent, Adam Young, Toms wanted to wait as long as possible before he made his decision, as the American golfer was trying to keep playing as long as possible without relying on obtaining surgery for the injury.
"He needed the rest for his (right) shoulder," said Toms' manager, Adam Young. "After playing four tournaments in a row the best decision for the remainder of the season was to take some time off. He certainly would like to be at St. Andrews, especially since he has had prior success there, but the need to rest his shoulder is a priority."
Toms, 43 had been treated by Dr. James Andrews before the Masters in April, and was given a shot to treat a rotator-cuff impingement, or bone spur. Toms said surgery will not be needed "anytime soon."
The LSU alumnus struggled with his game in 2010. He failed to finish in the top 10 in his last 28 events. His last top-10 came when he was the runner-up at the Travelers Championship over a year ago.
Anthony Kim has also formally pulled out, however the 11th worldwide ranked player was never expected to participate in the tournament as he is recovering from thumb surgery and has been for the past few months. Kim initially pulled out of The Players Championship in May because his thumb required surgery sooner than anticipated.
Kim initially predicted that recovery from the injury would take two or three months, depending on surgery and the amount of damage. Kim had surgery in May and had never planned to play the Open. However the 24-year-old American hopes to return golf in a few weeks at the Canadian Open.
As recently as a few months ago Kim said that the ligament has become detached from his thumb, an injury he has been coping with even through good times.
“This injury has been well documented over the past month, and I've been doing everything I can to play through it,” said Kim.
The American player, who recently came in third at the masters standings with a 65 in the final round, has also previously won the Houston Open, and tied for seventh place at Quail Hollow.
The American players will be replaced at St. Andrews by Ricky Barnes and Davis Love III. Barnes and Love enter the tournament as the highest non-exempt players on the world rankings, at 64th and 68th. One slot has also been reserved for the leading player who finishes in the top five at the Barclays Scottish Open and the John Deere Classic.
Meanwhile at the tournament itself, the prize fund has been increased by £600,000 to £4.8 million. While the winner on Sunday week will receive £850,000. Despite the increase, based on current exchange rates, the Open Championship prize-money is still less than other majors. The Masters, US Open and USPGA Championship all have £4.9m prize fund, with just under £890,000 going to the winner.
"The Open Championship sits at the forefront of world golf and it is appropriate that our prize fund reflects that position in the game," said the R&A's chief executive, Peter Dawson. "Over the last 18 months we have had to take account of the Pound's weakened position against the US Dollar and the Euro, and we have increased our prize money accordingly."
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