Golf legend withdraws from the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush

Four-time major champion Ernie Els has withdrawn from the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. 

Els, 55, confirmed his withdrawal with the R&A during the final round of the Genesis Scottish Open.

No official reason has yet been revealed. 

The South African has etched his name on the famous Claret Jug twice down the years.

Els won his first Open at Muirfield in a four-man playoff in 2002.

He then won his second Open when overturning a four-shot deficit on Adam Scott with four holes to play at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012. 

Els' other major wins came at the US Open in 1994 and 1997. 

Open champion are eligible to compete in The Open until they are 60. 

Els will be replaced in the field for the 153rd Open Championship by four-time PGA Tour winner Si Woo Kim.

The R&A has not yet confirmed an official reason as to why Els decided to bypass the final major of the season.

Els is currently competing in the DICK's Open on the PGA Tour Champions. 

He sits in the middle of the pack during the final round at En-Joie GC in Endicott.

Kim was competing in this week's Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

He finished the week on 4-under par, which was outside the top 30.