Golf: Back injury forces Els out of Open

Defending champion Ernie Els has reluctantly pulled out of this week’s Scottish Open at Loch Lomond with a back injury.

The 32-year-old South African has been forced to relinquish his crown that he won last year despite having regular treatment from an osteopath since finishing tied 66th in the US Open Championship last month.

Els said: ‘‘You cannot believe how disappointed I am to have to miss defending my title at Loch Lomond because it’s one of the highlights of my year.

"I was so delighted to win last year.’’