Dustin Johnson, the world’s No. 1-ranked player and the favourite entering the week to win the green jacket, is questionable to compete in the Masters after suffering a freak back injury on Wednesday. In a statement from Johnson’s manager, David Winkle, Johnson was injured falling off some stairs at his rental home.
“At roughly 3pm today, Dustin took a serious fall on a staircase in his Augusta rental home,” the statement read. “He landed very hard on his lower back and is now resting, although quite uncomfortably. He has been advised to remain immobile and begin a regimen of anti-inflammatory medication and icing, with the hope of being able to play tomorrow.”
Johnson, the reigning US Open champion, has won three straight starts dating back to the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club and had his best Masters finish last year when he was T-4. He was scheduled to be honoured for his 2016 season by the Golf Writers Association of America at its annual awards dinner Wednesday night, Augusta time.
Johnson briefly practised at Augusta National on Wednesday before play was suspended because of storms in the area. On Tuesday, Johnson discussed his recent hot play, but eerily said much is still subject to chance.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in my game right now, especially with the way I’ve been playing the last few tournaments,” he said. “But, you know, anything can happen.”
This is not the first time Johnson has been injured due to a freak accident. In 2012, he withdrew from the Masters after his manager said he hurt his back lifting a jet-ski.
