Justin Rose and Fredrik Jacobson have withdrawn and Thomas Bjorn is doubtful heading into this week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship.
Rose revealed last week to www.golfbytourmiss.com last week in Hong Kong his wife, Kate was expecting the couple’s second child and that doctors in Orlando had advised the couple the baby could arrive earlier than just prior to Christmas.
The 31-year old Briton advised European Tour officials he has returned home while Rose now seems highly unlikely to contest next week’s Australian Masters in Melbourne.
Justin Rose with wife, Kate and young son, Leo in winning last year's Memorial.
“It’s a shame that I will miss the Dubai World Championship but I have to think of my family first in this situation and I do not want to miss the birth of my second child,” said Rose in a statement issued by the European Tour.
“We originally thought the baby would arrive after the Dubai World Championship, but Kate went to the doctor for a check-up a few days ago and was told that there is a chance that the baby will arrive early, which means we have to keep a close eye on her progress from this point onwards.
“My family is the most important thing in my life and Kate, Leo and our second child have to be my priority at this time.”
Jacobson cited a thumb injury for not travelling to Dubai however the Swede’s name was appearing in the entry list for the Greg Norman hosted Shark Shootout in Florida.
The PGA Tour based Jacobson was being drawn to play alongside Norman but a thumb injury has seen him withdraw from that event.
In fact, Jacobson has not played a regular European Tour event in five years since contesting both the Scottish Open and Scandinavian Masters.
The 37-year old rejoined the European Tour at the commencement of this year but forfeits membership in playing only five tournaments, and each PGA money list counting.
Bjorn is hoping to return to competition for a first time finishing 66th in the Barclays Singapore Open.
However a reoccurrence of a neck injury sidelined him from the following week’s Dunlop Phoenix Open in Japan.
The 40-year old Dane, who has won three times this year on Europe, also withdrew from representing Denmark in last month’s Mission Hills World Cup and last week’s Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.
“The neck is not good and I’m not that hopeful,” he said today in Dubai.
Bjorn has been undergoing extensive treatment on his neck and sought not to compete in today’s (TUE) Pro-Am on the Jumierah Estate course.
Instead, Bjorn restricted his practice ahead of the $US 7.5m event to just chipping and putting.
“Hopefully, my neck will be better by Thursday. I’m getting plenty of treatment on it and besides this is one event I don’t want to have to withdraw.”
Rose, Jacobsen or Bjorn, should he withdraw, will not be replaced in the field for The Dubai World Championship.
