SCOTT HOCH grabbed a two-stroke lead after the second round at the $1.25 million Michelob Championship at Kingsmill, Virginia, yesterday, then officially withdrew from next week's British Open.

Hoch said on Thursday he was unlikely to play at Royal Lytham, so his decision came as little surprise. Nonetheless, his scratching leaves the British Open without one of the world's best players.

Hoch, 15th on the Sony world rankings, said he had not enjoyed the two British Opens he had played, both at St Andrews, but he acknowledged it was the most important championship in the world "if you win it".

The cut at Kingsmill fell at even-par 142.