Olazabal withdraws again

Golf

Golf

Fears for Jose Maria Olazabal's career increased yesterday when he decided to pull out of yet another tournament, this week's Turespana Masters in Valencia.

The 30-year-old Spaniard has been diagnosed as suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in both his feet and has not played competitively since last September. The next of a long line of target dates for his return is now the Spanish Open, which begins in Madrid in a fortnight's time.

Olazabal's manager, Sergio Gomez, said: "It was a very close decision this time, but Jose Maria still didn't think he was ready. He was out on the course practising from Monday to Thursday last week, but when the doctors cut down on the anti-inflammatory tablets he has to take, he felt worse."