British Open Golf: Zalatoris withdraws from tournament with injury

Zalatoris, who had finished tied-eighth or better in three of his past four major starts, was making his Open debut this week.

Zalatoris was in contention after Thursday's opening round of one-under-par 69 at Royal St George's

American Will Zalatoris withdrew from the British Open before the start of his second round on Friday after he injured himself while hacking out of deep rough on the 15th hole.

Zalatoris, who had finished tied-eighth or better in three of his past four major starts, was making his Open debut this week and was in contention after Thursday's opening round of one-under-par 69 at Royal St George's.

"I am beyond disappointed to pull out of the Open Championship this week," Zalatoris, 24, posted on Instagram.

"The second shot out of the heavy rough on #15 yesterday sent a tingling down my left leg and I have been advised to not take any further damage to my back."

Zalatoris managed to save par on the 15th and birdied the next hole, but bogeyed the last two - including a one-foot miss on the 17th - to finish five strokes off the lead.

"I contemplated not finishing the round yesterday, but considering this is my first Open, I felt like I needed to finish the round (even if it meant embarrassing myself a little at the end ha!)," added Zalatoris, who remains without PGA Tour membership despite his impressive season.

"I tried to hit some balls in the morning and did some extra work in the gym with no improvement," he added.

"I look forward to coming back as soon as I can."

Hatton snaps club in anger as frustration boils over England top-ranked player Tyrrell Hatton vented his anger on his pitching wedge, snapping it in half on the final hole of his second round at the British Open on Friday. The world number 10 was struggling to try and make the cut on the 18th when his wayward approach left him with almost no possibility of making a birdie. He then stamped on the shaft of the offending club before breaking it in two. "That was a load of frustration built up," Hatton, whose round of 70 left him two over par for the tournament and struggling to make the weekend, said. "I knew I needed to hit that in close. It's massively disappointing. I just can't bring my game at The Open; this could be six missed cuts from nine."