Ernie Els has pulled out of this week's KLM Open to be with family and friends at his autism school in Hurricane-hit Florida.

The 47-year-old was due to line up in Gorinchem for the latets European Tour event but has opted to withdraw from the tournament due to concerns over the devastating storm.

Els and his wife Liezl built for autistic children in southern Florida which was forced to close as Hurricane Irma bore down on the state over the weekend.

The South African said in a statement Monday that his "first concern at the moment and the coming days is to support my family and our friends and staff at Els for Autism. We must be ready for the consequences of this terrible storm."

Daan Slooter, director of the KLM Open said he understands Els' decision, "and we hope ... that the hurricane damage is not too bad and that everybody is safe."