A persistent eye problem forced Sweden's 2008 European number one Robert Karlsson to withdraw from next week's British Open on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old - a two-time winner on the European tour last season and a top eight finisher in three of the four majors - has not played since the European Open in late May and his balance and vision have been affected.

It was first thought to be an inner ear infection, but fluid behind the retina was detected and Karlsson has been told it could take six months to clear.

Karlsson claimed that his condition was common among men of a certain age.

"Apparently it's quite common for men between the ages of 25 and 50 with stressful jobs," said Karlsson, who has only made one top 10 finish this season back in January in Dubai.

"Light and dark shades of green started to float together if I can put it that way and in the PGA at Wentworth it was bad - everything started to look flat.

"My depth vision had gone and where I noticed it most was with chip shots and bunker shots. When the ball was up in the air I just couldn't judge how far it was going.

"I also couldn't tell whether trees were 150 yards away or 200 and I couldn't read a newspaper with my left eye.

"The doctors took pictures of my eye and said it was a water blister behind the retina and quite a bad one," added the Ryder Cup star.

Also out of The Open is New Zealander Tim Wilkinson, who came through qualifying in America but has since required thumb surgery.

AFP

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