Cheltenham-born Paul Casey has had to withdraw from this year’s edition of The Masters due to a recurring back injury.
The 44-year-old was set to tee off on Thursday at 10:53am GMT with Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, who currently sits in second place.
Casey, who currently sits 25th in the world rankings, took to Instagram to announce the news.
“Sadly I’ve had to withdraw from this year’s Masters tournament.” Casey opened with.
“The back issues are persistent and thus preventing me from being able to compete.”
“I shall now focus on my treatment and recovery so I can return to competitive form as soon as possible.
“Good luck to all the players in the field I am sorry to miss it.”
“Thank you @themasters I hope to see you next year.”
Casey suffered this same injury in March at the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, playing just two holes on the first day before the muscle spasms in his back forced him to withdraw from his second and third-round matches.
Despite this, Casey still remained positive that he would be able to compete in Augusta this weekend, after finishing 26th in 2021, but has since taken the decision to withdraw himself.
The Masters is currently led by Im Sung-jae after the first day, with the South Korean sitting on five under-par.
With Smith in second, Englishman Danny Willett finds himself in joint-third place.
The 2022 edition of the US Open Championship kicks off on Thursday June 16th, with Casey hoping his back injury will not prevent him from competing at another major tournament.
