Oosthuizen to miss Andalucia Open title defense as viral infection returns

British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has had to pull out of his Andalucian Open title defense this week.

The same virus that almost prevented the South African from playing in the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami two weeks ago has returned and doctors have advised him not to play for at least a week.

"It's very disappointing, but I can't risk making the problems worse," said Oosthuizen, whose eye virus has now spread into his mouth.

He hopes to be well enough to play in next week's Shell Houston Open, his final warm-up event for the Masters starting on April 7.

Oosthuizen had not won in Europe until he beat England's Richard Finch and Scot Peter Whiteford by three on the Costa del Sol a year ago, but four months later took The British Open by an amazing seven strokes at St. Andrews.