'Fried' Olazabal to miss French Open

Jose Maria Olazabal, who has not played since missing the PGA Championship cut at Wentworth for the first time in his career a month ago, has now pulled out of next week’s French Open.

In March, the two-time masters champion returned from seven months out battling rheumatism, but in six events since he has been suffering from fatigue.

The 42-year-old, Nick Faldo’s assistant for September’s Ryder Cup, is next due in action in the Open Championship qualifier at Sunningdale on Monday week.

But since that is 36 holes in one day, there must be a huge doubt whether he will play. He missed The Open last year with a knee injury.

“I am not myself and I don’t know what to do,” Olazabal said at Wentworth. “I am trying my best, but my brain is not there. My brain is fried.”

Manager Sergio Gomez added: “There is nothing medically wrong with him – at least we hope there isn’t.

“He has had every kind of test under the sun. Two doctors want him to stop the medication he’s on, one wants him to continue.

“I have told him that I think he should stop playing golf until he has regained his strength. He can’t carry on like this.”

Organisers of the French Open are still waiting to hear whether Luke Donald and Ian Poulter have recovered in time from the wrist injuries they suffered at the US Open.

Both pulled out of Torrey Pines and then withdrew from the BMW International in Munich.