World Number One Dustin Johnson has been forced to withdraw from the Masters Tournament due to a back injury.
The American suffered a fall on the stairs in his rental home on Wednesday, landing heavily on his lower back and quickly moving to a program of rest, anti-inflammatory medication and icing.
His coach Butch Harmon revealed that he was sore on Thursday morning, although capable of making small swings, but when he arrived at the range at Augusta National, he was struggling to complete a full swing.
While he initially decided to attempt to play, The US Open champion walked off the first tee shortly before his 2.03pm local tee time to miss out on the chance to make it three consecutive European Tour wins.
"I just slipped - it's just really tight," he said.
"I was making swings on the range but could only go 80 per cent. I could make a good back swing but at impact it was too much. So I don't think I can compete.
This is an event I look forward to every year so, to have a freak accident mean I cant play, it just sucks, it really does - Dustin Johnson
"It hurts. I was doing everything I could to play. Ice, heat, ice last night, I was desperate to get it ready for this morning. I just can't make my normal swing. It's my left lower back.
"I want to play more than anything but when I got to the putting green I realised I just couldn't swing the club.
"My left elbow is swollen and bruised but my back took the brunt of it. I want to play. It sucks. I'm playing the best golf of my career.
"This is an event I look forward to every year so, to have a freak accident mean I cant play, it just sucks, it really does.
"If it had happened on Monday, I don't think we would have time to get ready.
"I didn't get much sleep but that's not the issue. The issue is I just can't swing."
This is not the first time a back injury has hindered the 32 year old's hopes of winning a Green Jacket. In 2012, Johnson aggravated his back on a jet-ski and was forced to withdraw from the Masters on Tuesday.
