Darren Clarke out of Masters

Augusta - Darren Clarke, the 2011 British Open champion from Northern Ireland, announced he was withdrawing from the Masters on Monday after suffering a pulled hamstring while on vacation in the Bahamas.

Clarke missed last week's US PGA Texas Open because of the injury, suffered more than a week ago on the island of Abaco. He is continuing treatment in the Bahamas and has decided on a timetable for his return to competitive golf.

"It is with deep regret that I will not be able to play at Augusta this year," Clarke said in a statement on his website. "Playing in the Masters is one of golf's greatest pleasures and I am very disappointed to be missing out."

Twice-a-day treatments did not bring Clarke, 44, back to fitness enough to cope with the undulating terrain of Augusta National Golf Club.

Clarke's best result at the Masters was a share of eighth in his 1998 debut. He missed the cut last year in his 11th appearance.