Former champion Mark Calcavecchia has withdrawn from the British Open, apparently because of travel-related issues from the United States.
Tournament officials made the announcement on their Twitter feed Tuesday, giving no reason but saying the American would be replaced by first alternate David Hearn of Canada.
Several hours before the announcement was made, Calcavecchia tweeted: “Right now I thought I’d be on 3rd hole of mini practice rd at the Open!! Best we could do is a flight to West Palm Beach.”
Calcavecchia won the 1989 Open at Royal Troon, his only major.
Hearn will play the first two rounds with three-time champion Nick Faldo and American Todd Hamilton, who won at Royal Troon in 2004.