O'Meara ruled out of Open

Former winner Mark O'Meara, out of action since March with a rib injury, has withdrawn from next week's Open Championship at Royal Lytham.

The 55-year-old, who won the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale, will not be replaced at the moment as there are already 157 other players qualified. The field size is usually 156 and two more spots could be handed out at this week's Scottish Open and John Deere Classic.

Fellow American Webb Simpson, winner of the US Open last month, has not pulled out yet, but is expected to do so with his wife due to give birth in two weeks.