Bjorn and Price pull out of Irish Open

Thomas Bjorn and Phillip Price, Ryder Cup team-mates two years ago but struggling to make this September’s side, have both pulled out of the Nissan Irish Open at County Louth.

Sickness was the reason for both their withdrawals and Price even made the trip to Ireland before deciding he did not feel well enough to tee off in tomorrow’s first round.

The pair missed the cut in last week’s British Open championship, Price by three shots and Bjorn by eight after a second round 79.

A year ago the Dane lost a play-off in the Irish Open to New Zealander Michael Campbell, a performance which came straight after his traumatic time in the British Open at Sandwich, where he blew a three-stroke lead with four holes to play to lose by one to Ben Curtis.

Three weeks ago he pulled out of the European Open at the K Club west of Dublin after only six holes, his game and confidence in tatters.

Bjorn got his act together to finish 16th in the Scottish Open, but finished joint 137th out of 156 at Troon.

Welshman Price has not had a top 10 finish all year and lies 51st on the Order of Merit.