Seve Ballesteros out of British Open

SURREY, England, June 30 (UPI) -- Three-time winner Seve Ballesteros has withdrawn from this year's the British Open golf tournament.

Ballesteros has been hampered by various physical ailments in the past two years, including a bad back and a knee injury. He has not played the British Open since 2001 and last week failed to qualify for a tournament at Sunningdale.

Ballesteros has not had a top-20 finish in the British Open since a tie for ninth in 1991.

"We know that Seve is disappointed, particularly with the open being played at St. Andrews, but we hope to see him competing again in years to come," tournament official Peter Dawson said in a statement.

Ballesteros won the 1984 British Open at St. Andrews.

This year's open begins July 17. Ballesteros' spot in the field will be taken by fellow Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal.