Oosthuizen withdraws from The Open, Potgieter earns last-minute spot
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 13, 2026, 10:25 PM
Last updated Jul 13, 2026
Louis Oosthuizen has withdrawn from The Open Championship due to a back injury, which he announced on July 13, 2026. The South African, a past champion at the tournament, expressed disappointment over missing the event and LIV Golf's JCB competition. Aldrich Potgieter will replace Oosthuizen after qualifying in a last-chance event. Potgieter has struggled in 2026, missing 20 cuts in 36 starts but will seize this opportunity at Royal Birkdale.
- •Oosthuizen withdrew due to a back injury.
- •Aldrich Potgieter replaces him at The Open.
- •Oosthuizen has played in the Open since 2004, winning in 2010.
- •Potgieter was the first alternative before qualifying last minute.
- •Potgieter has faced struggles in 2026, missing many cuts.
- 10:25 PMYahoo Sports — Back Injury Forces Former Champion Out of The Open, Handing Struggling LIV Golfer an Unexpected Tee Time at Birkdale
"Louis Oosthuizen has been a regular at every Open Championship, except in 2013, when he had to withdraw. On July 13, 2026, the South African player had to withdraw, forced off thefield because of a back injury.
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