Azinger Withdraws Because of Flu

Paul Azinger on Monday became the latest U.S. star to pull out of this week’s British Open.

The 1993 PGA champion, who overcame lymphoma in his shoulder, told championship organizers he had been suffering from flu for four days and was unable to make the trip.

Azinger, who was runner-up to Nick Faldo in his Open debut at Muirfield in 1987 and tied for seventh at St. Andrews last year, joins Hal Sutton, Lee Janzen, Kirk Triplett and Notah Begay among Americans who have pulled out.

Jean Van de Velde, who squandered a three-stroke lead on the 72nd hole of the 1999 British Open, will be back to try again after cruising through qualifying.

Van de Velde made the field Monday after rounds of 70 and 68 over the last two days at the Southport and Ainsdale course.

He lost his chance to win the Open at Carnoustie when he hit into the water, lost his lead and a playoff to Paul Lawrie of Scotland.

Also qualifying was Jeff Maggert, fifth to Tom Lehman in 1996, the last time the British Open was played at Royal Lytham St. Annes. He had rounds of 69 and 65 at the par-72 St. Annes Old Links course.

Failing to qualify for the British Open were Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Sam Torrance, and former captain Mark James. Also missing from the field will be Sweden’s Per-Ulrik Johansson, Anders Forsbrand and Jarmo Sandelin, 1995 runner-up Costantino Rocca of Italy and former NCAA champion Luke Donald of England.

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The Facts

What: 130th British Open.

When: Thursday through Sunday.

Where: Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lytham St. Annes, England.

TV: Thursday-Friday, 5-11 a.m., ESPN; Saturday, 6-11:30 a.m., Channel 7; Sunday, 5-10:30 a.m., Channel 7.

Defending champion: Tiger Woods.

Purse: $4.62 million (winner’s share, $840,000).