Former champ Curtis out of British Open, Finau into field

By AP
Published

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) Former champion Ben Curtis has pulled out of next week's British Open and been replaced in the field by fellow American Tony Finau.

The R&A has not given a reason for Curtis' withdrawal Wednesday.

U.S. player James Hahn has been promoted to first reserve.

Curtis won the British Open in 2003 at Royal St. George's when a big outsider.

The 2017 tournament is staged at Royal Birkdale in the northwest of England from July 20-23.