Withdrawals aplenty at Loch Lomond

As the rain continued to fall at the Scottish Open in Loch Lomond, the players began to drop like flies with a number of withdrawals and retirements.

European number one Retief Goosen pulled out with a bad back after three holes of his second round, a run of bogey-par-triple bogey leaving the South African nine over par for the tournament.

In the following match, Ian Woosnam also pulled out citing a bad back, the Welshman taking his triple bogey on the 10th to be six over.

Woosnam finished third in the Open two years ago after being penalised two shots for having 15 clubs in his bag at the start of the final round, but will have to qualify this year on Sunday and Monday – fitness permitting.

“I’m not sure how bad it is, but I’ll get treatment over the next two days and hopefully be okay for qualifying,” Woosnam said.

Norway’s Henrik Bjornstad, India’s Arjun Atwal and England’s Warren Bennett were also withdrawals, while Swede Henrik Stenson was disqualified for playing the wrong ball.

Of those who were staying to battle it out, Montgomerie had birdied the short par-four 14th to improve to one under, while playing partner Mickelson had birdied the 12th and 14th to move to four over.