Bubba Watson and Hideki Matsuyama out of Open with Covid problems

• Watson had direct exposure' to someone who tested positive
• Masters champion Matsuyama unable to practise after test

The Open Championship has had high-profile withdrawals after Hideki Matsuyama, the Masters champion, joined Bubba Watson in confirming he will not play at Royal St George's. Both have problems arising from coronavirus.

Watson, a two-time Masters champion, took to social media to explain he had direct exposure" to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. While I am vaccinated and have passed the required pre-travel Covid test, not enough time has passed for me to comfortably join the charter flight [from the US] and risk exposure to the other players and personnel on board," he said. Brendan Steele, from California, has stepped from the reserve list to take Watson's spot.