Four-time major champion forced out of The Open Championship

Ernie Els has become the third player to withdraw from this week's 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Els, 54, carded a disappointing 11-over 82 in the first round of The Open on Thursday.

He then decided to withdraw ahead of his second round tee time on Friday morning.

LIVE: The Open second round updates and scores from Royal Troon

The four-time major champion cited a back injury for his official reason to WD.

Many golf fans consider Els to own one of the greatest swings the world has ever seen.

As a result, he is nicknamed The Big Easy.

Els has been enjoying some brilliant form on the PGA Tour Champions circuit this season.

He has won three of his last five starts on the over 50s circuit, including his first senior major title at the Kaulig Companies Championship last week.

The South African will now be hoping to get himself fully fit to compete in The Senior Open at Carnoustie next week.

Els is a two-time winner of The Open following wins at Muirfield in 2002 and Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012.

He won his other two major titles at the US Open at Oakmont in 1994 and Congressional in 1997. 

Els made his Open debut at Royal Troon.

That came 35 years ago in 1989. 

Els is the fourth player to WD from the 152nd Open Championship this week.

Sweden's Sebastian Soderberg withdrew due to injury on Wednesday.

Frenchman Romain Langasque then bowed out of the tournament due to injury while he was hacking it around on the 8th hole. 

An hour after Els confirmed his WD from The Open, two-time major champion John Daly did the same.

He also shot an 82 like Els in round one. 

Daly cited a knee injury for his WD.