Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain announced that he will miss the first major of the season in three weeks because of undisclosed health issues.
The 50-year-old Olazabal, who has not played competitive golf since he shot 71 in the second round of the Masters at Augusta National last year and missed the cut, claimed the Green Jacket in 1994 and 1999.
Sky Sports reported that Olazabal is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
“I am sorry to announce that I’m unable to attend (the Masters) this year as I am not feeling well,” Olazabal said in a statement. “The Masters is very special to me, and walking up Magnolia Lane gives me a peace of mind like nowhere else.
“It’s been very tough being at home these last few months doing nothing. Now I’m feeling better. I hit a bucket of balls every morning and spend 45 minutes on the putting green. I practice for about three hours. I don’t set myself goals or dates. Time will tell.”
While he did not say what is ailing him, Olazabal said that tests show “some improvement,” and that “the main thing is to get rid of pain.”
Olazabal has won 30 times world-wide in his career, was captain of the winning European team in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah and was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.
