Steve Webster has pulled out of the Irish Open because of severely blistered feet. The in-form Englishman, who won his first Tour title at the Italian Open two weeks ago, withdrew after Wednesday's pro-am.
The 30-year-old from Warwickshire, who was also fifth in last week's British Masters, could now struggle to qualify for next month's US Open.
He is seventh on the money list with the top two going to Pinehurst.
South Africans Retief Goosen and Ernie Els occupy the top two spots to receive automatic berths after next week's BMW Championship at Wentworth.
Another route into the year's second major is through US Open qualifying at Surrey's Walton Heath on 6 June.
Webster, the top amateur ahead of Tiger Woods in the 1995 Open at St Andrews, has played in only one major since, missing the halfway cut back at the same course five years ago.
Local player Stephen Browne, who came through the qualifying school last November, was the one to benefit from Webster's withdrawal.
He was immediately thrust into the limelight because his partners were Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam.
The Irish Open takes place on the Colin Montgomerie-designed Carton House course near Dublin.
MMIX
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