MILAN, Italy: The 2006 Ryder Cup captains won't be reunited at the Italian Open this week after Europe's Ian Woosnam withdrew due to a back injury.

He was set to meet Tom Lehman at the Castello di Tolcinasco Golf and Country Club on Thursday for the first time in Europe since Woosnam's team retained the trophy last August in Straffan, Ireland.

However, Woosnam withdrew on Monday due to a recurrence of the back problem which forced him to retire from last week's Spanish Open.

"It would have been great to meet up with Tom again and play in the Telecom Italia Open, as it is a great tournament at a golf course I really enjoy," Woosnam said. "But health issues take precedence."

Lehman is a confirmed starter for the tournament. He will be joined by American golfers Duffy Waldorf and Steve Jones, the winner of the 1996 U.S. Open Championship at Oakland Hills.