World No.1 golfer, Dustin Johnson pulls out in Augusta due to back injury

Johnson, who had won his last three tournaments, was the pre-tournament favourite for the Green Jacket World number one Dustin Johnson is out of the Masters at
Augusta National after suffering a back injury in a fall at his rental home on Wednesday.

The American, 32, looked set to take part after warming up on the range but he then withdrew on the first tee.

The US Open champion fell on the stairs and hurt his lower back on Wednesday.

"I'm playing the best golf of my life and to have a freak accident happen on Wednesday afternoon, it sucks really bad," said Johnson.

The 15-time PGA Tour winner added: "I was wearing socks and slipped and went down the three stairs. The left side of my lower back took the brunt of it and my left elbow is
bruised as well."

Johnson's caddie was placing the ball on his tee for him on the range, while coach Butch Harmon said pain hindered Johnson's rest overnight.

Shortly before his withdrawal, he progressed from hitting wedge shots on the range to fuller swings and his involvement looked likely as he made his way to the first tee for a
scheduled 19:03 BST start alongside playing partners Bubba Watson and Jimmy Walker.

Johnson was a popular pick to win the first major of the year as a result of the fine form he has shown in 2017. He has won the past three tournaments in which he has competed - February's Genesis Open, and both the WGC Mexico
Championship and WGC Dell Match Play in March.

As well as winning last year's US Open by four shots, he finished ninth at the Open Championship and tied fourth at the Masters.