The South African had said prior to the �3m event that he would pull out the moment he knew he was about to become a father for the second time.

Els was joint 30th with 18 holes to play in the competition.

He would have been ninth but for a quadruple-bogey eight on the 'road hole' 17th at St Andrews.

The 32-year-old was partnering his father Neels in the celebrity pro-am and they were one of 20 pairs who had qualified for the final round from the starting line-up of 168 teams.

Old Firm derby

Els' next scheduled appearance is the Cisco World Match Play Championship.

He might yet pull out of that event to spend time with his wife and new baby but it is taking place at Wentworth in Surrey - where he now lives - and that could persuade him to play.

Former England footballer Gary Lineker has also pulled out of the pro-am at St Andrews.

He was joint fourth with Thomas Bjorn but he had to leave to cover the Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers for the BBC.