The deciding Sunday Singles of this year’s Seve Trophy is down to 18 players following the withdrawal through back injury of England’s Simon Khan.

It has also meant under the rules of the competition that the European Team name a player to also withdraw so that there is a balance of nine matches.

Jose Maria Olazabal had nominated Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn ahead of the match in the event Khan withdrew.

So that now Khan will not compete it’s meant Bjorn also not teeing up today on the St. Nom-la-Breteche course.

As well, the Singles draw has been revised with Chris Wood, who was due to play Bjorn, now to face Italy’s Francesco Molinari, who had been drawn to tackle Khan.

“Simon’s back is really bad and he just can’t commit to the shot and naturally he’s broken hearted,” said GB & I captain Sam Torrance.

“It’s very tough for Simon to take because he was desperate to play but if you’re injured, you’re injured.

“David Lynn also is not well, but he is going to play because he is just feeling sick but not injured.”

The withdrawal of both Khan and Bjorn has been both the GB & I and European Team awarded  a half-a-point and with the match now 9 1/2 points each.

Europe is looking to end a six match GB & I domination of the Seve Trophy having won just the first encounter in 2000.