European Ryder Cup captain Woosnam out of French Open

SAINT QUENTIN, France, June 30 (Reuters) Europe's Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam withdrew from the French Open before today's second round because of back pain.

The 48-year-old Welshman said his withdrawal was a precautionary measure so he would be fit for next week's European Open at the K Club, Dublin, the venue for September's Ryder Cup match with the US.

Woosnam fired an opening round level-par 71 on Thursday at Le Golf National, eight strokes behind leader John Bickerton of Britain.

REUTERS PM KP1445