By The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel is taking a month off after the U.S. Open because of a nagging rib injury.

Schwartzel has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship next week, and the South African does not plan to play again until the British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

He has decided to play the final round of the U.S. Open on Sunday at The Olympic Club. Schwartzel says he has experienced discomfort all week, and doctors told him he should take three weeks to rest. He says if he doesn’t take a break, it could be months before it goes away.

Schwartzel, ranked 15th in the world, finished the Open tied for 38th place.

This would have been Schwartzel's first appearance at the Travelers Championship.