Louis Oosthuizen will not be packing his favourite golf clothing for the Andalucia Open this week as an injury will prevent him from defending his title.
The 28-year-old South African has an eye infection which could get worse if he decides to play the upcoming event.
"It's very disappointing, but I can't risk making the problem worse," he said.
The Andalucian Open in Malaga in 2010 saw Oosthuizen claim his maiden European Tour victory, which proved to be a stepping stone for his surprise Open Championship win at the famous St Andrews.
Oosthuizen's eye infection is the latest in a long line of setbacks since his St Andrews victory as he tore ankle ligaments during a hunting trip which forced him to miss seven weeks of the 2010 European Tour.
Thomas Bjorn, who won last month's Qatar Masters, will also be leaving his lucky golf clothing behind as he has also pulled out of the event in Malaga.