Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, one of the contenders for the FedEx Cup playoffs on the PGA Tour, has pulled out of the BMW Championship with back pain.
Matsuyama was one shot behind leader Keegan Bradley after Thursday’s first round at the event in Colorado.
“I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the BMW Championship after experiencing lower back discomfort while warming up this morning, which made it impossible to play today,” Matsuyama said in a statement.
Matsuyama came into the tournament at Castle Pines, ranked third in the FedEx Cup standings after winning on Sunday at the St Jude Championship in Memphis.
Given his ranking, Matsuyama would still qualify to play in the final event of the playoffs next week, The Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club near Atlanta.
The 32-year-old, the 2021 Masters winner, recently claimed the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
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Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
