Duval pulls out at Troon

Former champion David Duval today pulled out of the 133rd British Open Championship before the start of his first round at Royal Troon.

Duval, who has played just one tournament this season, told R&A officials late on Wednesday evening he had a strained back muscle although it had also been reported that his wife Susie had been taken ill yesterday.

Since winning his only major at Royal Lytham in 2001, Duval has failed to win a US Tour event and slumped to 490th in the world.

The 32-year-old turned his back on the game completely for seven months before making a comeback at the US Open last month, where he shot rounds of 83 and 82 and finished next to last.