Open dream over for Premier League legend in cruel twist of fate for keen golfer

Jimmy Bullard has been forced to withdraw from The Open's qualifying tournament due to a back injury.

Initially preparing to compete at Rochester and Cobham Park on Monday, the former Premier League midfielder regretfully had to cancel his participation. Addressing his 549,000 followers on Instagram, Bullard, 45, announced: "Right boys and girls how are we? This message goes to all of you Golf Life legends.

"I've just got off the phone to Tubes and Ange, we've had to pull out today - you've probably seen a post already - for the Road To The Open. I had an Open qualifier Monday at Rochester and Cobham, we had a load going down there and we've had to leave it as late as possible.

"Spoke to the RNA today, I've had to pull out. So gutted boys and girls, my back has completely gone." Although on the path to recovery, Bullard confessed he hasn't been able to practice for the last three weeks, which would impact his performance.

Via the Express, he continued: "It's getting better slowly but I haven't hit any balls for three weeks and I'm no good. I've got to hit some balls." Speculating about his possibility of making it through with medication, he admitted he'd have been sloppy without practice.

"I may have been able to get down there and play - take some serious tablets and got through it - but not hitting any balls before I'd be all over the show," Bullard added.

"I finally pulled the plug today, I was leaving it later and later but deep down I knew that I wouldn't be able to do it. I apologise, the two boys are all gutted. I don't know what to say really, I'm a bit gutted - I might even cry in a minute, what about that?"

The Open is accessible to anyone, with 26 different qualifying routes available ranging from being