Illness derails Fowler’s Mayakoba return

Rickie Fowler has been forced to abandon his plans to make a comeback at the Mayakoba Golf Classic after being struck down by illness. The 30-year-old American had not been in action since September’s Tour Championship as he took time out to marry his girlfriend, Allison Stokke, last month. However, Fowler revealed that he contracted Campylobacter jejuni during the honeymoon, which is an intestinal bacterial infection that causes cramping, pain and a fever. As a result, he will not be taking any part in the Mayakoba Golf Classic, which is due to get underway at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, from Thursday. “I am taking medicine prescribed by my physician,” Fowler said in a statement. “But am not at full strength yet. As a result, I am ill-prepared to compete.” The news comes after it was revealed that he had not been selected by Tiger Woods as one of his captains picks for the Presidents Cup in December.