Golf-Four players withdraw from Irish Open

ADARE, Ireland, May 18 (Reuters) Four players withdrew from the Irish Open today, with South Africa's Anton Haig, American Notah Begay, Finland's Mikko Ilonen and Welshman Ian Woosnam all falling victim to injuries.

Johnnie Walker Classic winner Haig withdrew with a back injury while Begay, who is trying to fashion a European Tour career after losing his US PGA Tour card, was forced out by a long-standing sciatica problem.

Ilonen, whose maiden European Tour win came two weeks before Haig's at February's Indonesia Open, aggravated a wrist injury when battling with the Adare Manor rough in the first round.

Last year's European Ryder Cup captain Woosnam added to the withdrawal list when he retired after 10 holes of his second round.

The 49-year-old Woosnam, who was 10-over-par for the tournament, reported a bad back to tournament officials.

REUTERS AKD VV1813