Karlsson in danger of missing British Open

By Norman Dabell

ST QUENTIN, France (Reuters) - Last year's European number one Robert Karlsson could miss this month's British Open because of a long-term eye complaint.

The Swede has withdrawn from next week's Scottish Open and is in a race to get fit for the third major of the year at Turnberry, Scotland in 12 days' time.

Karlsson has a blister behind the retina and has not played since the European Open in May.

"He really wants to play (at Turnberry) and we haven't withdrawn him yet but it is not looking hopeful," Karlsson's manager Lillian Jansson told Reuters on Saturday. "The eye is getting better only very slowly.

"He needs at least two or three days practice before the Open and it looks like there's a danger he won't be able to do that."

Karlsson, 39, a nine-times winner on the European Tour, was the first Swede to clinch the order of merit title last year.

South African Trevor Immelman, who has been out for a similar spell with tendinitis in his wrist and elbow, has also withdrawn from next week's event at Loch Lomond.

Immelman won the U.S. Masters last year.

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