Karlsson is a nine-times winner on the European Tour

Robert Karlsson, the 2008 European Order of Merit winner, has withdrawn from the US Open with an eye infection.

The Swede, who tied for fourth in last year's Open at Torrey Pines, has been struggling with depth perception in his left eye, according to his manager.

The 39-year-old has been replaced in the Open field at Bethpage Black by American Andrew Svoboda.

Karlsson has struggled this season and pulled out of last week's Wales Open because of an inner ear infection.

Karlsson's consistency set him apart from the rest on the 2008 European Tour.

He accumulated eight top-three finishes, including victories at the Mercedes-Benz Championship and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

This season, however, Karlsson has recorded only one top-10 finish in eight starts, a tie for fourth at the Dubai Desert Classic in February.

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