Couples backs out

Former world number one and 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples is out of next week’s Open because of a recurrence of back trouble.

The 44-year-old will be missing the championship for the fifth time in the last 11 years and his withdrawal this morning follows that of fellow Americans Tom Watson, Fred Funk, Scott Hoch and Kirk Triplett.

Couples finished fourth on his Open debut at St Andrews in 1984 and has had eight top 10 finishes. The best was joint third behind Ian Baker-Finch at Birkdale in 1991.

It means there are now 15 places available from the final qualifying competition at four courses around Troon tomorrow and Sunday. A total of 384 players will be battling for them.