Tuesday 19 August 2014 19:11, UK
United States vice-captain Steve Stricker has ruled himself out of a playing role at next month's Ryder Cup.
The 47-year-old will be one of USA skipper Tom Watson's vice-captains in Gleneagles alongside Andy North and Ray Floyd, but his decision to step down from competitive golf until December means he is not in contention for one of the three wildcard picks.
Stricker finished in seventh place at the US PGA Championship earlier this month, but the 12-time tour winner told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that back and hip injuries would rule him out of a fourth Ryder Cup as a player.
"Going to shut it down till December. Rest and rehab and then try to play and see how it goes," said Stricker, who played at the 2008, 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cups.
Stricker's absence removes another option for Watson, with Tiger Woods' injury issues forcing him to withdraw and Dustin Johnson taking a break from the sport as he tackles an unspecified "personal challenge".
Matt Kuchar has qualified for the team but his participation is in doubt after he withdrew from the US PGA with a back injury, while Jason Dufner's neck problem has seen him drop out of the automatic selection places.
Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson have qualified automatically, with the three captain's picks announced on September 2.
