By Matt Smith
Justin Rose pulled out of the 150th Open Championship moments before his scheduled tee time, meaning first alternate Rikuya Hoshino had to make a dash for it to make it to the first tee to take the Englishman’s place alongside Francesco Molinari and Lee Westwood.
Rose alerted tournament officials to his problems shortly before his Thursday morning pairing with his Ryder Cup teammates that he would be unable to play due to a back injury.
The 2013 US Open champion said: “On the fourth hole yesterday during my practice round, I made a swing with my driver and started to feel pain in my lower back. I’ve been getting around the clock treatment but it just doesn’t feel ready to compete in this prestigious championship.”
Rose, the world No. 50 famously finished T4 as an amateur at the 1998 Open an was runner up at the 2018 Open Championship.
Alex Noren was initially listed as the first alternate and was at the Old Course earlier this week. However, he decided to play in the PGA Tour’s Barracuda Championship and flew to California instead.
Taking Rose’s place is Hoshino, the 26-year-old from Japan who is making his second Open appearance.
After being alerted by officials he had to grab his clubs and caddie and sprint to the first tee to begin play with seconds to spare.
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