A mysterious eye problem has sidelined vivacious European Tour player Robert Karlsson from next week’s British Open. The Swede wedger has apparently contracted a harsh case of “googly eyes”, causing him to drop out of the Open over fears of terrifying female fans present at the event.

“I don’t know why it happened, but it has affected my life on and off the golf course,” Karlsson told us on Tuesday morning. “If I’m in the vicinity of a woman, she automatically thinks that I’m checking her out! How can I deny it with my eyes this big?”

Karlsson’s caddy, Sven Svensson, also felt it best that the 38-year-old knocker stay out of sight until his condition can be diagnosed and treated. “He would freak out the other players and I think the officials would be called a lot,” said Svensson. “And the women spectators… you don’t want them heckling you and calling you a pervert while trying to play. Bad scene, man. Bad scene”

Karlsson is scheduled to meet with his doctor on Thursday, and he has high hopes of getting back to his passion very soon. “I hope there is a cure and I can get back to what I love,” Karlsson quipped as he was led to his car by his caddy. “Which is scoping out women without them knowing, of course.”