Brett Rumford’s fight to regain playing rights on the European Tour took a body blow at the South African Open when he was forced to withdraw with a stomach complaint.

Rumford, who suffered a horrific medical emergency in South Africa two years ago which saw a large section of his intestine removed, was just outside the top 10 through 36 holes but couldn’t take his place in the field for round three.

The 39-year-old took to Instagram to explain his absence, citing a case of gastro as the culprit.

“Unfortunately my South African Open didn’t go as planned this week,” he wrote.

“Came down with Gastro last night and ended up spending the morning having some tests just to make sure.

“Just wanted to thank the European Tour for the invite this week and Glendower Golf Club for hosting!

“I was really enjoying the challenge of Glendower GC – it’s a magnificent old track. I’ll definitely return next year.”

The misfortune will be doubly disappointing for Rumford who needs to make the most of every opportunity in 2017.

Without full playing rights, the 15 year Tour veteran will have limited starts during the season and at 7-under at the halfway mark he was playing nicely and on track for a vital high finish.

Despite his predicament Rumford has made a good start to the 2017 season so far with a T25 finish at the UBS Hong Kong Open and a fifth place result at the Australian PGA Championship.

He began the week 12th on the Race to Dubai standings and would dearly have loved to have added to his tally in South Africa but his withdrawals saw him slip to 18^th.

Rumford played on an invitation in Johannesburg and has received another for this week’s tournament in Abu Dhabi where he will be keen to replicate his form from the first two rounds at Glendower Golf Club.