Dustin Johnson says “it sucks” that he had to withdraw from the Masters.
A back injury forced the World Number One to pull out of the first major of 2017 just seconds before he was due to tee off.
The 32 year had won his last three tournaments and was hot favourite heading to Augusta, but suffered a freak accident on the eve of the tournament.
He slipped down three stairs at his rented accommodation, damaging his lower back and bruising his left elbow.
Johnson said “I'm playing the best golf of my life and to have a freak accident happen yesterday afternoon, it sucks really bad.”
"I have been worked on all morning and obviously I can take some swings, but I can't swing full, I can't make my normal swing and I didn't think there was any chance I could compete."
Johnson’s withdrawal continues the trend of the World’s top golfers struggling at Augusta.
Tiger Woods was the last player at the top of the World Rankings to win the tournament, but that was in 2002.
Vijay Singh was the World Number One when Woods claimed the last of his Green Jackets in 2005.
Martin Kaymer missed the cut when he held top spot in 2011.
Rory McIlroy finished 4th when he travelled to Augusta as World Number One in 2015.
And Jason Day could only manage a 10th place finish last year.
