London - Former world No 1, England's Luke Donald, is stepping away from the game to try to heal an ailing back.
Donald, 40, who hasn't won since the end of 2013 in Japan, said on Twitter that he has been trying to play with back pain for the last few months and has decided to get treatment and take time off to recover.
"Gutted about this but I'm fully committed to getting back out onto the course," he tweeted.
The PGA Tour player of the year in 2011, Donald, now ranked 211th, has finished no higher than tied for third in any major, doing so at the 2005 Masters and 2006 PGA Championship.
Unfortunately after trying to play with some back pain the last few months, my team & I have decided it’s best for me to receive the recommended treatment & take the necessary time to recover. Gutted about this but I’m fully committed to getting back out onto the course ASAP ??
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) April 23, 2018