GLENEAGLES, Scotland: Ernie Els withdrew from the Deutsche Bank Championship on Tuesday for family reasons.

The fourth-ranked South African is returning to his home near London where his children will be preparing for their return to school, Els said in a statement released by his management company, ISM.

Els plans to return next week for the third event of the FedEx Cup in Illinois and will remain in the United States for the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta the following week.

“I have been on the road now for almost eight weeks and it is important that I return home where my children will be preparing for their return to school,” Els said. “I regret having to miss such a prestigious and important tournament and I wish everybody there an enjoyable and successful week.”

Els finished fourth Sunday in the first of the four FedEx Cup events, the Barclays Classic in New York.