Bradley Dredge was forced to withdraw from the British Masters at Woburn on Saturday, minutes before he was due to start his third round just two shots off the lead.
Dredge, who carded opening rounds of 66 and 69, has been suffering from a viral infection and informed tournament officials he felt too ill to compete despite having the chance to win his first European Tour title since 2006.
The 42-year-old Welshman lost his card in 2012 but regained it after finishing 81st on the Race to Dubai last year and began the week 83rd on the money list after a consistent campaign
Play was under way after a 35-minute delay caused by early morning fog, with English rookie Matt Fitzpatrick and Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen sharing the lead on nine under par, one shot ahead of Richard Bland and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
Tournament host Ian Poulter began the day five shots off the pace after suffering a dreaded shank in his second round of 70, the Ryder Cup star opening with three pars before picking up a shot on the fourth.
Source: PA
