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Former Masters champion Danny Willett has pulled out of the Players Championship midway through the tournament because of a back injury.
Willett was 11-over-par by the midway point of his second round at the Sawgrass club in Florida and was destined to miss the cut after two bogies and a triple bogey on the front nine.
The 29-year-old has a history of back problems and has missed the cut in four of his nine tournaments this season.
Confirming his withdrawal, Willett tweeted: “Not good to have to withdraw but swinging very poorly is putting a lot of unwanted strain on the back.. body and mind need a rest!!”
The British player’s poor form has seen him drop down the world rankings to 21st after he failed to make the cut in his defence of the Masters last month.
He was also dumped by his long-term caddie Jonathan Smart after an argument.
Willett’s next event is due to be the BMW PGA Championship in a fortnight.
Not good to have to withdraw but swinging very poorly is putting a lot of unwanted strain on the back.. body and mind need a rest!! ??????
— Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) May 12, 2017
