Australian Senden replaces Indian Singh

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) - India's Jeev Milkha Singh withdrew from the British Open Tuesday because of a lingering rib injury.

The 37-year-old, who declared himself only 60 percent fit for the third major of the year, will be replaced in the field at Turnberry this week by Australian John Senden.

"When I went out yesterday to play 18 holes, it was hurting," Singh told reporters. "When I was taking deep breaths, it was also hurting and when that happens you know it's back.

"I'm only 60 percent fit and I don't want to play a major championship in that condition," added the 2008 Asian number one.

"My game is good but I just don't want to take any chances this week."

A three-times winner on the European Tour, Singh has been suffering from a torn muscle in his side since the European Open two months ago.

He had considered withdrawing from last month's U.S. Open at Bethpage Black but decided to play before missing the cut.

Singh, who missed the cut at Carnoustie in 2007 in his only British Open appearance, also missed the cut in last week's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)