Bjorn, 'fighting demons', pulls out of Euro Open

Thomas Bjorn pulled out of the European Open after six holes today because he had had enough of “fighting demons”.

The Ryder Cup Dane, who lost the British Open championship last year from three ahead with four to play, bogeyed four of the first five holes at the K Club near Dublin and then told playing partners Paul Casey and Michael Campbell he was quitting.

“I just can’t face being in a tournament situation at the moment,” said Bjorn. “I still have as much love for this game as I’ve ever had, but I want to get away, sit down and think about what I need to do.

“I work hard on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and then on Thursdays it just all seems to collapse. It’s the worst stretch I’ve ever had in my life.”

The 33-year-old is now a doubtful starter in next week’s Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, but insists he is “100% convinced I will be at the (British) Open”.

It takes place at Royal Troon in a fortnight.

Bjorn has returned to Europe after missing the halfway cut in four of his last five tournaments in America, including the Masters and US Open. He was a cumulative 53 over par in them.

He continued: “The last three or four months have been awful. I’m fine health-wise, but I’m fighting some things on the course and I don’t feel comfortable out there. I need to sort it out.

“I just can’t face the tournament situation. I’m fighting demons at the moment.”