Thursday, June 15
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Former PGA champion Steve Elkington withdrew from the U.S. Open Wednesday because of a sinus and ear infection that kept him from flying. He was replaced by Rory Sabbatini. Elkington, winner of the 1995 PGA Championship, has been bothered by sinus problems of late. He had surgery in March 1998, and later that year was hopsitalized with viral meningitis. He withdrew from last week's Buick Classic because of a severe sinus infection. Sabbatini will play in his first U.S. Open. He was the first alternate from qualifying at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., where he was eliminated in a playoff between four players fighting for the final three spots. Sabbatini's best finish this season was a second at the Bob Hope Classic in January. He also finished in a tie for 11th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which includes two rounds at Pebble Beach Golf Links, site of this year's U.S. Open. Elkington is the second player to pull out of the Open, joining reigning British Open champion Paul Lawrie on the sidelines. Lawrie withdrew Monday with a groin injury.
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