Washington - World number one Dustin Johnson withdrew from the PGA Houston Open on Monday, citing fatigue after winning seven matches last week to capture his third consecutive US PGA Tour victory.
The 32-year-old American edged Spain's Jon Rahm 1 up in
Sunday's championship match of the World Golf Championships-Match Play at
Austin, Texas.
Johnson won seven matches over five days, including two each
on Saturday and Sunday, to stretch a win streak that began last month at
Riviera, where he surged atop the world rankings, and included the WGC Mexico
event three weeks ago.
With the Masters, the year's first major championship,
coming next week at Augusta National, Johnson selected rest over the benefits
of playing the week before the showdown for the green jacket.
"After a great deal of thought and consultation with my
team, I have decided to withdraw from this week's Houston Open," Johnson
said.
"Having played seven rounds of competitive golf in the
last five days, I feel it is best to give my mind and body a much-needed rest
heading into Masters week.
"I sincerely apologise to my many friends and fans in
Houston... and I look forward to returning in the coming years."
Johnson has played five times in Houston, finishing third
last year ahead of sharing fourth at the 2016 Masters.
Johnson won his first major title last June at Oakmont and is the only golfer to win every WGC title. The Masters will be his first major tournament as the world number one.