SOUTH AFRICA’S ERNIE Els withdrew from the PGA Grand Slam of Golf on Saturday because of a left ankle sprain and will be replaced in next week’s four-man event by Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.
Els became the second major champion to pull out of the 36-hole Bermuda event designed to feature a select foursome of the year’s four major championship winners.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy withdrew because he is playing a European Tour event next week in China. He had been replaced in the lineup by American Keegan Bradley, the 2011 winner who also captured last year’s PGA Championship.
Els said that he has been advised not to play following a recent sprain although he is expected to recover quickly.
Harrington and the US trio of Bradley, Masters champion Bubba Watson and US Open winner Webb Simpson will play Tuesday and Wednesday at Port Royal Golf Club for a $600,000 top prize.
