The Open 2011: Broken leg puts Thomas Levet out of Open

Levet was hoping to make his seventh Open appearance

Thomas Levet has withdrawn from the Open after breaking a leg by jumping into a lake, while celebrating his victory at the French Open on Sunday.

The 42-year-old Frenchman will have an operation on Thursday and will be out of action for six weeks.

His place at Sandwich goes to American Robert Garrigus.

"I am extremely disappointed to miss out on the Open," said Levet, who was runner-up to Ernie Els at Muirfield in 2003 after a five-hole play-off.

"I will have screws and a plate inserted which will ensure that my shin recovers completely.

"I will be off for six weeks, which is very bad timing with so many important tournaments coming up.

"However, the wonderful memory of winning my national Open will definitely keep me going through my recovery."

South Africa's Tim Clark, who has been out of action since May because of an injury to his left elbow, has also pulled out of the Open.

His place has been offered to Anthony Kim of the United States. Simon Dyson and Thomas Bjorn are now the next reserves for the 14-17 July event.

Europe's 2010 Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie strongly criticised Levet and the practice of players jumping into water to celebrate their triumph.

"I think it is the silliest thing that players have done over the years," he told reporters at the Scottish Open.

"I have always been suspect about people diving into lakes, not knowing how deep they are and what is in there.

"There could be something sharp. He was lucky it was only a leg injury. It is not the way to celebrate - taking the next three months off because you've hurt yourself."