Jose Maria Olazabal has further delayed his comeback from the rheumatism which has kept him out of action since last August.

The two-time Masters champion, suffering in his shoulder and groin, entered for both the Qatar Masters and this coming week's Desert Classic, but after pulling out of the first of those he has now withdrawn his name from the Dubai field as well.

Olazabal's last event was the US PGA Championship and because of problems with his knee before that he has played only two tournaments since the US Open last June.