Singh Maybe Unable for Open Offer

Former world number one Vijay Singh has been offered an Open Championship place but may not be fit enough to take it.

The Fijian, 48, was joint runner-up the last time it was held at this year's venue, Royal St George's in Sandwich.

The Masters and double USPGA winner pulled out of last week's AT&T National in America with back trouble.

He was one of five players added to the Open field on Monday along with Americans Webb Simpson, JB Holmes and Steve Marino and Japan's Yuta Ikeda.

The places became available because Rory McIlroy (US Open winner), Charl Schwartzel (Masters), KJ Choi (Players Championship) and Luke Donald (PGA Championship) were already exempt - and because past champions Sir Nick Faldo and Greg Norman have decided not to play.

Vijay Singh was golf's world number one for 32 weeks in 2004 and 2005

Singh, currently 63rd in the world rankings, has been plagued by injury and indifferent form in recent months.

He finished tied for 43rd at his most recent event, the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship.

Earlier in June, his decision not to play in qualifying for the US Open ended a run of 67 consecutive appearances in majors.

Australian Brendan Jones is now first reserve for the Open and will be waiting for news on whether former champion Tiger Woods makes the trip.

Woods is still recuperating from injuries to his left leg and said last week that he would not play tournament golf again until he was 100% fit.

French Open winner Thomas Levet has also emerged as a doubt for Sandwich after injuring himself during his exuberant celebrations at his home tournament.

Frenchman Levet, 42, jumped into a lake at Le Golf National after ending a 25-year wait to win the competition and suffered a small fracture to his shin.

He had his leg put in a cast on Monday and has already pulled out of this week's Scottish Open.

He will now undergo intensive treatment before consulting a specialist later this week to decide if he will be able to compete at Royal St George's.

Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal and big-hitting fellow Spaniard Alvaro Quiros have also withdrawn from the Scottish Open.

For Olazabal, who has battled with rheumatic pains for well over a decade, it means he will not be part of the Open.

Castle Stuart near Inverness would have been his last chance. An Open spot is on offer to the leading non-exempt player providing he finishes in the top five.