Olly steps in for Seve

Seve Ballesteros has pulled out of the Open at St Andrews in two weeks’ time with his old Ryder Cup partner Jose Maria Olazabal set to replace him.

Ballesteros, suffering from an arthritic back, has not played since November 2003 and in a letter to Royal and Ancient Club chief executive Peter Dawson said: “Unfortunately, I am still not at the competitive level I would expect, especially at a venue like St Andrews, which hosts the best event in the world.”