Tuesday 28 October 2014 13:02, UK
Henrik Stenson has become the latest big name to withdraw from this week’s BMW Masters tournament at Lake Malaren in China.
The $7 million European Tour event had already seen both Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia pull out in recent weeks.
Stenson has now confirmed that he will not be making the trip to China either following the birth of his third child, daughter Alice, on Sunday.
"No3 has arrived!!" Stenson posted on his Facebook page along with a picture of himself holding the family’s latest arrival.
"Alice was born Sunday afternoon! Mommy did great! Lisa and Karl seems to be pretty happy with the new addition."
The Swede’s withdrawal means that none of the top three players in the Race to Dubai standings will now be present this week in the first of four season-ending series events on the European Tour.
McIlroy revealed last week that he would be skipping both the BMW Masters and the subsequent WGC-HSBC Champions event in order to prepare for his forthcoming court appearance in the legal dispute with his former management company.
"I'm going to need time away from tournament golf to prepare for the trial over my legal dispute with Horizon Sports Management," the Northern Irishman explained.
The hearing is set to take place in February and McIlroy will not play again until next month's seasonal finale - the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Garcia has opted to rest up and will return at next week’s WGC event.
There are still seven of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team competing at Lake Malaren GC with Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Victor Dubuisson, Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter all in the 78-man field.
