General / Editor / 20 June 2007 /

John Daly's latest private turmoil has forced the controversial American to withdraw from the BMW International Open, starting in Munich on Thursday.

The 41-year-old alleged his fourth wife had tried to knife him in his bed two weeks ago and he arrived for the second round of the St Jude Championship in Memphis with marks to his face.

The two-time Major winner completed the event but told the tournament organisers just before he was due to catch a flight to Germany he "could not currently leave the United States for personal reasons".

The 41-year-old won the event in 2001 with an incredible 27-under-par total and tournament director Marco Kaussler said: "We are very sad that John won't be taking part, but we understand his decision.

"We hope that his private situation will resolve itself quickly and very much hope that he will be back taking part next year."
Ernie Els heads into the tournament as the 11.5 favourite on Betfair's "BMW International Open - Winner 2007/08" market, with Englishman Paul Casey next best at 12.5.

The 2006 winner, Henrik Stenson, is available at 15, while German veteran Bernhard Langer is bidding to win the only event that has eluded him on home soil and can be backed at 50.

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