Dustin Johnson, the pre-tournament favorite to win the Masters, withdrew from the tournament on Thursday after reportedly suffering a back injury on Wednesday.
He arrived at Augusta National and told a TV personality that he was going to try to play. However, he walked off the first tee in the minutes after his 2:03 p.m. tee time without hitting his shot. He officially withdrew a few minutes later.
Johnson, the world’s No. 1-ranked player and winner of his past three consecutive tournaments, reportedly slipped on some stairs at a home he is renting in Augusta.
Johnson’s agent said a doctor recommended that he try to remain immobile Wednesday night and take anti-inflammatory medication in hopes of playing.
Johnson reportedly hit a few shots on the driving range Thursday afternoon. As he was leaving the range, he told ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi that he was going to try to play.
Johnson, 32, is supposed to tee off at 2:03 p.m. in the last group.
Tiger Woods was the last top-ranked golfer to win at Augusta National (2002).
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