Olazabal finished joint third at Augusta in 2006

Jose Maria Olazabal has withdrawn from next month's Masters, and the Spaniard's career appears to be in doubt because of ongoing health issues.

The 44-year-old, champion at Augusta in 1994 and 1999, has not played a tournament since last October because he has been suffering with rheumatism.

"He has pain in his shoulder, forearms and hands," said manager Sergio Gomez.

"If new miracle remedies help then he will be back, but traditional medicine is failing."

It will be the first Masters Olazabal has missed since 1996, when he missed the whole season after being diagnosed with rheumatoid polyarthritis.

There were fears his future would be spent in a wheelchair, but the favourite to succeed Colin Montgomerie as Ryder Cup captain came back for an emotional second victory at Augusta three years later.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Olaz

Only four years ago, Olazabal finished joint third at the year's first major and was also part of the winning Ryder Cup team, his first appearance in the match since 1999.

But he was able to play only seven European Tour events the following season and six in 2008.

Last year appeared more promising as he upped his tournaments to 16, only for the situation to worsen again over the winter.

A long absence from the game could affect Olazabal's chances of being the 2012 Ryder Cup captain - part of the thinking in giving Montgomerie the job for this year's match was that he was in close touch with the players.

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