Olazabal first to withdraw from the Masters
March 17, 2010 - 3:15 PM ET
Jose Maria Olazabal has withdrawn from the Masters.
Olazabal aches and pains due to rheumatism are behind his decision to pull out. "He has pain in his shoulder, forearms and hands," said his agent, Sergio Gomez. He can't swing properly, so we won't be going. "He is practising a little bit, but for not much more than an hour. If new miracle remedies help then he will be back, but traditional medicine is failing." As a former Masters' champion (1994, 1999), Olazabal, who turned 44 in February, has a lifetime exemption into the major. He still has status on the PGA Tour via a Major Medical Extension, affording him 20 starts to earn $552,923 and retain status.