New blow for Bjorn

Thomas Bjorn pulled out of the Scottish Open without hitting a shot today, four days after falling apart with a closing 86 at the European Open.

The Ryder Cup Dane, who collapsed from three strokes clear to 33rd place after an 11 at the penultimate hole at the weekend, withdrew because of a neck injury.

He had won the eve-of-tournament pro-am but made the decision to scratch 40 minutes before he was due to tee off. Yorkshire’s Ben Mason replaced him.