Lee Westwood flew home from Paris tonight to have immediate treatment and probably a scan on the right leg injury that bothered him all week at the French Open.
The world number three, second favourite to Tiger Woods for The Open starting at St Andrews on Thursday week, was hobbling again for most of a closing 70, which left him down the field on four under par.
Westwood was in hospital on Wednesday after fears his problem could be a deep vein thrombosis, but although that did not prove to be the case his condition remains a real concern.
“It got worse as the week went on,” he told Press Association Sport. “I had a three-iron at the third from a ball-below-feet lie and I think I just tweaked it.
“After that I could hardly put any weight on it. Two people think I should have an MRI scan and the sooner that’s done the better. I’m also seeing my physio tonight.”
A late decision will be taken on whether he plays in the JP McManus Pro-am in west Ireland tomorrow and Tuesday. Woods is the main attraction of a star-studded field there.