Rose - now second reserve. (Getty Images)
ROSE'S CHANCES INCREASE
Britain's Justin Rose is up from eighth to second reserve for the USPGA
Championship starting at Baltusrol in New Jersey on Thursday.
Greg Norman, who had been due to play with Tiger Woods and Michael Campbell in
the first two rounds, became the fifth player to withdraw on Tuesday.
The 50-year-old former world number one, given a special invitation to the
event, underwent back surgery earlier this year, but returned in the Open at St
Andrews last month.
"The surgery was a complete success and I've been extremely pleased with my
progress," said Norman. "But my neurosurgeon and physical therapist both
believe I simply played too much too soon, hence this minor setback."
The other withdrawals from the original field were England's Paul Broadhurst,
Australian Andre Stolz, Argentina's Angel Cabrera and American Larry Nelson,
while a spot had been reserved for the winner of the International tournament on
the US Tour last week and Retief Goosen was already exempt.
There were reports that Cabrera had been forced out by a heart problem, but
they were dismissed by his close friend Eduardo Romero tonight.
"It was his stomach, not his heart, and I think he will be back playing next
week," said Romero from his home in Cordoba.
"Angel rang me and said he was very sick last Friday and stayed in hospital
for one day. The doctors did tests and said he was okay, but recommended he
didn't go to America this week and rested instead."
Cabrera, winner of the European Tour's flagship BMW Championship at Wentworth
in May, is in the field for the NEC world championship in Akron next week.
He is replaced this week by US Tour-based Swede Richard Johnson, who will
partner Colin Montgomerie in the first two rounds - providing, that is,
Montgomerie does not have a setback in his recovery from a finger injury
suffered at Gleneagles last week.
Broadhurst chose not to make the trip because he was already booked a family
holiday for nine people to Florida to celebrate his 40th birthday this coming
Sunday.
American Kevin Sutherland replaces Norman and will partner not only Masters
and Open champion Woods, but also US Open champion Michael Campbell.
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