FAR HILLS, N.J. -- Darren Clarke has withdrawn from the U.S. Open because he says his Ryder Cup duties have kept him from preparing the right way.
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand also withdrew Thursday, citing personal reasons.
Clarke was on the final year of his five-year exemption from winning the British Open at Royal St. George's in 2011. He was replaced by Thomas Aiken of South Africa, the first alternate from the sectional qualifier in Memphis, Tennessee.
Thongchai was exempt from being in the top 60 in the world. He was replaced by Jeev Milkha Singh of India, the first alternate from the England qualifier.