Els withdraws from Houston Open due to virus

LONDON (Reuters) - World number three Ernie Els has withdrawn from this week's Houston Open because of a virus, his management company said on Monday.

The South African, who pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month due to fatigue, is suffering from a similar virus that delayed his arrival in Miami for the WGC-CA Championship a week later.

"I am very disappointed to have been forced to make this decision because I was really looking forward to playing this week," Els said in a statement.

"The Houston Open was going to be an important part of my build-up towards the Masters, but I have been advised that it would not be in my best interests to play."

The U.S. Masters - the first major of the year - begins at Augusta on April 10.