Former Champ Curtis Out Of British Open, Finau Into Field

Ben Curtis

Ben Curtis, 2003 British Open Champion (Photo/TheOpen.com)

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Former champion Ben Curtis has pulled out of the British Open and been replaced in the field by fellow American Tony Finau.

The R&A has not given a reason for Curtis' withdrawal.

U.S. player James Hahn has been promoted to first reserve.

Curtis won the British Open in 2003 at Royal St. George's when a big outsider.

The 2017 tournament is staged at Royal Birkdale in the northwest of England from July 20-23.