The Honda Classic took another hit on Thursday when the top-ranked golfer in the field, Daniel Berger, withdrew due to a rib injury.
Berger, 15th in the World Ranking, was one of just six players inside the top 50 set to tee it up at PGA National. He pulled out of the pro-am Wednesday morning before deciding to skip the tournament entirely shortly after.
He will be replaced by Australian Rhein Gibson.
With Berger’s withdrawal, the top-ranked player in the field is World No.18 Sungjae Im.
8/
Field ▲ → @TheHondaClassic
OUT
Daniel Berger (rib)IN
Rhein Gibson (alternate) https://t.co/Y7yXuCK8Tp— Rob Bolton (@RobBoltonGolf) March 17, 2021
It’s a disappointing development for a tournament that dates back to 1972, especially considering how many PGA Tour players live within driving distance of Palm Beach Gardens, where PGA National is located. But the Honda has found itself in a difficult spot on the schedule, following a four-week stretch that includes two tournaments with elevated status (the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational), a World Golf Championship (WGC-Workday at the Concession) and the Players Championship.
Additionally, it is followed by the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, a tournament that many of the top players use as their final preparation for the Masters, which begins April 8.
