Tommy rests up for Open tilt

tommy FlEEtWooD has pulled out of the Scottish open this week but all those who have had a bet on him for the open can rest easy.

the Southport man has sensibly decided to err on the side of caution as he makes slow progress after a virus that hampered his play in Germany and France following his stunning runner-up showing at the US open last month.

‘We’ve been waiting day by day for him to feel fully fit but as he still isn’t, it didn’t make sense for him to try to play this week,’ his wife and manager, Clare, told this column.

It is a blow for Fleetwood in the sense that he was looking to this big-money week as a chance to make progress in trying to defend his Race to Dubai title, for which he currently lies third.

the biggest priority of all, however, is to be healthy for Carnoustie, where he is the current course record- holder and will rightly start among the favourites.

Fleetwood will now prepare by practising on some of the brilliant links courses less than an hour from his home, such as Royal Birkdale, Hillside and West lancs.

Such is Fleetwood’s standing that his absence would normally be a grievous blow to a regular European tour event but the Scottish open is one that can cope.

there will still be 21 of the world’s top 50 in attendance, including an impressive array of americans.

their number include masters champion Patrick Reed, last year’s open runner-up matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler, who won at Gullane in 2015, and the Scottish open stalwart, Phil mickelson.