Ernie Els, the revered two-time British Open champion, will not be participating in the upcoming tournament. This marks the second time this year that Els has opted out of major championships.

The R&A did not disclose a reason for the 55-year-old South African’s withdrawal, leaving fans and analysts speculating about the decision. Si Woo Kim, next on the alternate list, will replace Els in the event.

Despite being eligible to play until the age of 60, Els has shown a pattern this year, having also chosen not to compete in The Players Championship, a spot he earned by winning the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone in 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Two-time champion Ernie Els has withdrawn from the British Open, the second time this year he has chosen not to compete in big championships.

The R&A did not give a reason on Sunday for the withdrawal of the 55-year-old South African. Els was replaced in the field by Si Woo Kim, who was next on the alternate list taken from last week’s world ranking.

Els won the British Open at Muirfield in 2002 after a four-man playoff and again in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes when Adam Scott lost a late lead.

Open champions are exempt to play until they are 60.

Els also chose not to compete this year in The Players Championship, for which he qualified by winning the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone in 2024.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Two-time champion Ernie Els has withdrawn from the British Open, the second time this year he has chosen not to compete in big championships.

The R&A did not give a reason Sunday for the withdrawal of the 55-year-old South African. Els was replaced in the field by Si Woo Kim, who was next on the alternate list taken from last week’s world ranking.

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Els won the British Open at Muirfield in 2002 after a four-man playoff. He won again in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes when Adam Scott lost a late lead.

Open champions are exempt to play until they are 60.

Els also chose not to compete this year in The Players Championship, for which he qualified by winning the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone in 2024.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The Associated Press

In a week that has seen multiple high-profile players withdraw from the U.S. Senior Open, a group that included Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Colin Montgomery, the leaderboard that has emerged includes a number of the most notable players in the game.

Here are some notable players who were among the Top 10 as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Ernie Els

Place as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday: T5, 3-under (through nine holes in third round)

55, South Africa

Major championships: U.S. Open (1994, 1997), British Open (2002, 2012)

Best U.S. Senior Open finish: Tied for eighth in 2024

Top world rank: No. 1

Notes: One of six golfers to twice with the U.S. Open and British Open, joining Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods. First-ballot selection to World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. Captured a senior major with the Senior Players Championship in 2024.

Padraig Harrington

Place as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday: T1, 9-under (through six holes in third round)

53, Ireland

Major championships: British Open (2007, 2008), PGA Championship (2008)

Best U.S. Senior Open finish: Champion in 2022

Top world rank: No. 3

Notes: Spent more than 300 weeks in the world Top 10; World Golf Hall of Fame inductee in 2024

Stewart Cink

Place as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday: T1, 9-under (through six holes in third round)

52, U.S.

Major championships: British Open (2009)

Best U.S. Senior Open finish: N/A (playing event for the first time)

Top world rank: No. 5

Notes: Has top-three finishes in all four majors. Spent 40 weeks in the Top 10 of the world rankings.

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Darren Clarke

Place as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday: Fourth, 6-under (through eight holes in third round)

56, Northern Ireland

Major championships: British Open (2011)

Best U.S. Senior Open finish: Tied for 28th (2021)

Top world rank: 8th

Notes: Three-time winner on the PGA Tour, 14 wins on the European Tour. Won the Senior British Open in 2022

Thomas Bjorn

Place as of 12:30 p.m. Saturday: Fourth, 5-under through six holes in third round

54, Denmark

Major championships: N/A

Best U.S. Senior Open finish: T38th (2024)

Top world rank: 10th

Notes: Runner-up finishes at British Open (2000 and 2003) and PGA Championship (2005). Fifteen career victories on the European Tour.

Miguel Angel Jimenez

Place as of 12:30 p.m.: T5, 3-under through eight holes in third round

61, Spain

Major championships: N/A

Best U.S. Senior Open finish: Second place (2016, 2018)

Top world rank: 12th

Notes: Three-time senior major winner. Won 24 times on the European Tour. Current money leader on the PGA Tour Champions.

Vijay Singh tees off on 1 to start the final round of The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Sunday, March 30, 2025. (Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Former champion Vijay Singh has withdrawn from the Masters with an injury, ending a streak of 31 straight starts at the season’s first major.

Singh, 62, the 2000 Masters champion and three-time major winner, will not be replaced, dropping the field to 95. The nature of Singh’s injury was not disclosed by officials at Augusta National Golf Club on Monday.

Singh defeated Ernie Els by three shots to claim the green jacket in 2000. Tiger Woods won the other three majors that year.

In 31 career starts at Augusta National, Singh has six top-10s, 11 top-25s and 21 made cuts.

Singh also won the PGA Championship in 1998 and 2004.

The first round of the Masters tees off Thursday morning.

–Field Level Media