Dustin Johnson withdrew from the Masters just a few minutes prior to his tee time on Thursday. This is the second time its history that the current World No. 1 has missed the year’s first major, with the other being Tiger Woods in 2014. After suffering a freak accident on Wednesday, Johnson tried to give it a go today but had to shut it down after a brief warm up session.
“I was doing everything I could to try to play. I just don’t feel like there’s any chance of me even competing,” Johnson said. “I want to play, more than anything. I just can’t swing the club…It sucks, I want to play.”
Johnson was gunning for his fourth straight PGA Tour win and second major championship, but then life got in the way on Wednesday when he slipped and fell on three steps at his rental house injuring his lower back.
‘Back swing was fine, but every time down, right at impact, it would catch. I didn’t think there was any chance I could compete.’ – DJ pic.twitter.com/g1lUPMML5T
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 6, 2017
After arriving at the course and giving no indicating whether he was going to tee it up today, Johnson hit roughly 15 balls with a wedge before having to leave for more therapy due to tightness and pain. Less than 10 minutes later, he was back on the tee with driver in his hand but after eight shots, he shut it down for good. He consulted with his swing coach Butch Harmon and his brother/caddie Austin about his decision, before walking to the first tee and ultimately withdrawing.
“I’m playing the best golf of my career and this is one of my favorite tournaments of the year,” he said. “I look forward to it every year. It sucks really bad.”
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