WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) — Charles Howell III is skipping the British Open.

Howell said Friday at the Greenbrier Classic that he withdrew because of “a personal family reason” and wouldn’t comment further.

Earlier in the day, the R&A announced Howell chose not to play in the July 17-20 tournament at Royal Liverpool. He was replaced by Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen.

Howell and six others were added to the field this week through their spots in the world ranking.

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